Energy prices have been rising dramatically recently and are likely to rise further, which makes saving energy where you can, even more important. Many energy saving tips considered extreme in the past, are about to become normal and in many cases, necessary. Here we look at some possibly drastic ways you can save energy and money.
Extreme Energy Saving Tips
Extreme energy saving is when you have tried all the recommended tips and want to, or have to, consider going further to save energy or money. This includes eating ready meals so they don’t need to be cooked, or siblings sharing bedrooms so heating is not needed as much. How about setting a timer for how long you spend in the shower, or covering windows with plastic film?
All these and more are covered below.
Energy Saving for Food and Drink
Eat ready meals straight from the packaging
So you don’t need to heat the food up, whether in the microwave or the oven.
Use a pressure cooker to reduce cooking times
Especially meats that need longer to tender.
Plan ahead what you’re cooking the next day
If anything needs to be defrosted, take it out of the freezer and place it in the fridge to reduce energy.
Wash up dishes in a bowl instead of a running hot tap
Don’t waste boiled water
If any boiled water is left in the kettle, fill it into a flask to be used later, or fill a hot water bottle with it
Energy Saving for Family Time
So no one occupies the coldest room in the winter. Pick a smaller room to share which is quicker to heat up.
Spend family time in one room
Pick the most insulated room for the family to congregate and spend as much time in there as possible instead of each family member being in their own rooms. You only need to warm that room up.
Stop draughts through doors
Put blankets on doorways that don’t have any doors. You can do this by putting a shower curtain rail across the opening and drape the blankets over that to stop cold air travelling across the house.
Use hot water bottles for family members to keep warm.
Make use of the sun to dry your washed clothes
Try to make two, three or more hanging lines in the space you have to hang your clothes.
Go visit family and friends
Discuss with relatives and friends the possibility of spending time in each other’s houses on a rota basis a few hours in the evenings. This way, you can leave the heating off in your house when you’re not there.
Energy Saving for Heating
Seal the gaps around the house
Go around the house looking for possible gaps and holes to reduce draughts. Seal with a suitable material.
Use internal doors to keep warm and cool
Remember to keep internal doors closed in the winter and open in the summer.
Cover up cold floors
Cover tiled and wooden floors with carpet and rugs so your feet don’t feel the cold. Coverings also stops heat escaping from gaps.
Put plastic film on the windows
Install a plastic film over the windows to provide insulation. It creates an extra barrier to keep the cold out. Because the material is plastic, you can still get the daylight in the house.
Cover your head to stop heat loss
Wear a head covering while you are in the house. You lose a lot of body heat from the head so putting a hat on reduces heat loss.
Know how your heating controls work
Turn your thermostat down further to 20 or even 19 degrees.
Use your heating programmer for the heating to come on only at certain times of the day. Try not use manual override unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Set a timer for when you are in the shower and come out when the time runs out. Try to lower the time you set by a few seconds each time.
Turn your hot water temperature setting down.
Energy Saving for Nights
Pick the right material for bedding
Buy flannel sheets for bedding. They are great at making beds warm and cozy in the winter.
Make use of electric blankets
You can use electric blankets to keep warm, even when you aren’t in bed, instead of space heaters. The electricity usage is much less for a blanket than a space heater.
Keep blankets and comforters around the sofa to cover yourself straight away and don’t need to turn on the heating.
Energy Saving for Outdoors and Travel
Create groups to share rides when travelling to work or school. This way, you can save money on transport costs. Aim to get at least three to four people sharing..
Use public buildings
Spend some time in public buildings to keep warm and reduce heating at home. Take a phone charger or battery charger and look for wall sockets to plug into and charge up your phone and batteries that you can then use for lights.
Summary
Some extreme ways to save energy are:
- Use a pressure cooker to reduce cooking times
- Plan ahead what you’re cooking the next day
- Put plastic film on the windows
- Share rides to work
- Wash up dishes in a bowl instead of a running hot tap
- Don’t waste boiled water
- Spend family time in one room
- Stop draughts through doors
- Use hot water bottles for family members to keep warm.
- Make use of the sun to dry your washed clothes
- Spend more time in public buildings
You can find more energy saving ideas on the Energy Saving Trust website.
