Four people warming their feet by the fireplace.
As winter draws near and the need to use more elctricity grows, here are a few tips on how to save electricity save more money.
• When electrical appliances are not in use, switch them off.
• Heat as few rooms as possible and keep a heated room’s doors and windows closed.
• Switch off heaters if the room is empty.
• Use low-powered heaters.
• If possible, insulate ceiling spaces above the rooms with insulating material.
• An electric blanket uses about four times less electricity than even a small heater.
• Ensure that fridge doors seal and are in good condition.
• Do not open fridge doors unnecessarily.
• Do not leave the fridge door open while busy doing other things.
• Do not place hot food or liquids in the fridge.
• A heavy build-up of ice increases the running costs of your fridge – ensure you defrost it regularly.
• Switch unnecessary lights off and do not leave your outdoor lights on during the day.
• Use energy-efficient light bulbs where possible. Try using a bulb with the lowest possible wattage that provides sufficient light.
• It costs less to boil a kettle than boiling water on the stove.
• Do not overfill your kettle when boiling, use only as much as you require. (Always ensure the element is covered.)
• Pour excess water into a thermos flask for future use – it saves both time and money.
• Electric frying pans and microwave ovens use less electricity than stoves – so does pressure cookers and stackable pots.
• Always match the size of the pot with the size of your stove’s plates.
• Do not use pots with distorted bottoms – they require a lot more heat.
• Turn the temperature down during the cooking process.
• Do not use the stove to cook a single dish at a time or to heat the room.
• Switch your stove off when not in use.
• Replace damaged stove plates regularly.