Embrace energy efficiency and warmth as the chill sets in

As the days grow shorter and the cold creeps in, there's no denying that the cosiest but most costly season of the year is almost here. It's that time when we find comfort in the warmth of our homes, wrap ourselves in blankets, and have a satisfying sip of a hot drink. But as winter approaches, the cost of keeping our homes warm and welcoming can send a shiver down our spine.

Energy prices have been as unpredictable as the recent weather. The price of gas and electricity has seen its share of peaks and troughs, leaving many households feeling the pinch. With expenses on the rise, finding ways to save money is a challenge we all face.

The three main culprits

If you've ever wondered where your hard-earned money vanishes, look no further than three major energy culprits in your home: heating, cooking, and hot water. These three areas often account for a significant chunk of your energy bills. By fine-tuning these essential areas of your home, you'll not only save money but also reduce your environmental footprint, all while enjoying a cosy and efficient living space.

Heating

When it comes to keeping your home warm and cosy, the cost can quickly add up, especially during the winter months. If your home is connected to the mains gas supply, you'll typically generate an expense of approximately 11.51 pence per kWh. This translates to an estimated cost of £2.76 per hour to operate a 24kW boiler using natural gas. And with most households relying on mains gas for heating, that makes an average cost of £11.04 for 4 hours using the radiators.

Now, consider the energy-efficient alternative: the Fine Elements HEA1006GE 2kW Fan Heater. This heater costs just £2.72 to run for 4 hours on average. That's a remarkable difference, highlighting the substantial savings achievable with energy-efficient heating appliances. While you may still want to use your mains gas for heating your home, using a fan heater as often as you could save you a significant amount. Plus, you can heat only the room you're in, rather the whole house for more effective heat distribution.

Cooking

Let's turn our attention to the heart of your home, the kitchen. Cooking, while essential, can also be a hidden energy drain. The average oven, with a wattage of 2100W, costs about 71p per hour to run according to recent data. On average, we use our oven for 2 hours a day, which would set you back approximately £9.66 per week, a staggering £42.84 per month, or £1,562.40 per year, with an average electricity cost of 34p per kWh.

This is why you should consider using an air fryer. The SAF76K 8L Dual Zone Air Fryer by SIA. This energy-efficient appliance uses 1.7kW of power, costing just 58p per kWh. Beyond cost savings, it's also a time-saver, reducing cooking times by approximately 20%. To put it into perspective, using a 1700W air fryer for an average of 30 minutes a day will cost you roughly £2.10 per week, a mere £8.36 per month, or approximately £101 per year.

These figures reveal how energy-efficient cooking appliances like our air fryers can lead to significant annual savings while reducing your energy consumption in the kitchen.

Hot water

While adding convenience to our homes often comes with additional costs, instant hot water taps defy this trend. These taps are estimated to account for just a fraction of the energy used for hot water, which typically constitutes around one-fifth of a family's energy consumption. In flats, this proportion tends to be even higher. Quooker states that these taps can operate with up to 50% less energy compared to traditional kettles, potentially saving you around £25 annually on your energy bills. So, not only are they incredibly convenient, but they can also put a little extra money back in your pocket.

Instant hot water taps address another pressing concern, water waste. It's astonishing to learn that approximately 67% of people tend to overfill their kettles each time they use them, resulting in a staggering 3500 tonnes of wasted CO2 every day. Instant hot water taps, on the other hand, dispense only the required amount of water, minimising both energy and water wastage during the boiling process.

Take control of your comfort and savings

By looking into these three essential areas, keeping your place warm, cooking delicious meals, and having hot water at the ready, you can not only take charge of your energy bills but also do your part in being eco-friendly. Plus, it keeps your home snug and cosy all year round!

See what appliances feature in our energy saving edit, here.