Households could save more than £72 on energy bills this summer
Families can recoup some of the sting from a 13% jump in energy costs by making a few straightforward summer changes, new research suggests.
Comparison website Uswitch.com has calculated the potential savings for those willing to adjust their routines during warmer weather – beginning with the tumble dryer. Abandoning it in favour of traditional line-drying can save the typical household just over £25 across the four hottest months.
And with another scorching spell gripping Britain this week, switching from a hot shower to a cold one offers its own benefit – a saving of £26.63 over the same timeframe. Other easy swaps also add up. Opening a window instead of running a dehumidifier for two hours a day could reduce bills by £10.82, while choosing a cold drink instead of making one hot drink a day could save £4.39 annually.
Households could also shave £2.63 off their energy costs by opting for a salad instead of cooking one oven meal each week, while making better use of natural daylight instead of keeping an LED lightbulb on for eight hours a day could save another £2.11.
Even charging a mobile phone using a solar charger rather than mains electricity offers a small annual saving of 58p. Totalling all the available adjustments, Uswitch reckons households could pocket more than £72 before autumn sets in. However, specialists caution that any gains made indoors can be completely undone in the garden. Even an energy-efficient hot tub adds £1 to £1.30 daily to bills – climbing to £3 per day or higher for cheaper, less efficient versions.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “The moment the sun is out and the weather is warm, most of us stop thinking about energy altogether, but this is exactly the window where easy energy savings can be made.
“Energy rates have just risen significantly for millions, so making some simple swaps with your energy usage should help to take some of the pressure off from higher summer bills. One of the simplest but most efficient changes is to skip a tumble dryer cycle on a hot day and hang the washing up instead, and those savings really add up.
“Where you may need to consider the cost is in the garden. Hot tubs, patio heaters and outdoor lighting are increasingly popular. But make sure you check how much they cost to run, as a hot tub left on all summer can undo every saving made elsewhere in the house.”
Uswitch is also encouraging households not to allow the warm weather to distract them from seeking out a more competitive energy deal. The top fixed tariffs are currently sitting around 15 per cent below standard rates, delivering average savings of £249 – a financial cushion that will still prove beneficial once the heating is switched back on come autumn.
Mr Gallizzi continued: “Don’t let switching your tariff fall off the to-do list just because the weather’s nice, as households can save up to £249 on average by fixing right now. If you are wondering whether to opt for a fixed deal or stay on a standard tariff, the answer is clear – the majority of fixed tariffs available will save you money, not just now but also over the winter months.”
Uswitch’s top five summer energy tips
- Turn the heating off completely while the weather is mild.
- Choose a well-insulated hot tub and always use a fitted cover.
- Switch off fans whenever you leave a room.
- Dry laundry outside instead of using a tumble dryer or dehumidifier.
- Use the Uswitch app with a smart meter to spot energy guzzlers around the home.
