An energy hack could save you £147 a year without reducing your heating | Personal Finance

With a 10% increase in energy prices set to take effect from this month, many Britons are trying to find ways to reduce their budgets to stay warm at home this winter.

However, there are a number of tips, tricks, methods and techniques you can implement to reduce your energy costs by keeping your heating high during the colder months.

Renewable energy surveyor Sean Slawson of Geo Green Power has warned Britons that the vampires they should be on the lookout for this autumn are not just showing up on Halloween, but are likely lurking in their kitchens.

He explained how these vampire devices drain energy: “Standby devices still use energy, and reducing it can lead to surprising savings. “TVs, computers and game consoles are the biggest contributors to so-called ‘vampire’ energy consumption.”

The expert pointed out that studies have shown that these vampire devices waste an average of 147 pounds per household each year.

Instead of driving a stake through the heart, these vampire devices should simply be unplugged to stop draining unnecessary energy.

Sean also recommended smart power strips that automatically cut off power to devices that are not in use.

Some items, such as televisions, may come with energy-saving features such as auto-off or screen dimming, which can further reduce energy consumption.

The expert shared other useful tips on how to cut expenses while maintaining heating, as he noted that this will likely make households more eco-friendly during the winter months.

One of the more unique tricks is to use reflective elements to improve the efficiency of the radiator.

Placing reflectors or even plain aluminum foil behind the radiator will ensure that heat is reflected back into the room and prevent heat from leaking through the walls and being lost to the cold outside.

Sean also recommended making your laundry more eco-friendly by avoiding washing machines if possible.

He explained: “Tumble dryers are the most expensive to run. Try to avoid using them altogether and, if possible, use sunny days to dry your clothes outside. If you must use a tumble dryer, place a dry towel with the dryer load to reduce energy consumption by absorbing excess water and reducing the need for multiple starts.

Enabling eco settings on your dishwashers and washing machines while reducing the number of times you run both appliances per week can significantly reduce your energy bills. An expert revealed that running the dishwasher less a week could save you £11 a year, while washing your clothes at a 30-degree lower temperature could save you £22 a year.