5 Examples of Simple Energy Advice You Can Start Using Today

As of last year, around 3.17 million people are living in fuel poverty in the UK, according to government figures. Energy efficiency now plays a vital role in keeping household bills down and managing the cost of living; but it doesn’t have to be complicated!

LEAP is where you can find a wealth of simple energy advice, helpful financial support and scheme eligibility information, to help you manage the cost of living more easily.

Our energy advice call service is the quickest and easiest route to get you started. But before you make that call, let’s explore some energy advice tips that you can try out in your home right away!

Don’t Dry Your Clothes on the Radiator

Drying clothes on your radiator is best avoided if you’re looking to save energy. Not only does it reduce the heating effect of the radiators in the rooms in your home, but it can also lead to condensation and mould issues, as moisture escapes from your wet clothes. Drying your clothes on an airer is a much more efficient use of the space in your home for laundry.

• Your heating system can work more efficiently if it’s not also trying to dry clothes. This means less energy used overall.
• By not forcing your radiator to perform a double duty, you’ll see a decrease in heating costs.
• Lower energy consumption results in a smaller carbon footprint!

Use an Air Fryer Instead of the Oven Where Possible

For small to medium-sized meals, an air fryer is a smarter choice for home cooking. Ovens consume energy while heating up to achieve the desired temperature, costing you money before you’ve even started cooking. The LEAP Appliance Scheme now includes air fryers, so be sure to take advantage of this and ask your LEAP Home Energy Advisor about air fryers on your energy advice call!

• Air fryers reach cooking temperature quicker and cook food faster.
• Air fryers can significantly lower your utility bills compared to regular oven use.
• Less energy use means reduced demand, which leads to fewer emissions.

Draught-proof Your Windows and Doors

A draughty house isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s expensive! Control the heat loss through your windows and doors by installing draught proofing strips, which are cheap to buy and easy to put in place. Don’t forget spaces like the letterbox and the space around your doors!

• By keeping cold draughts out, you reduce the workload on your heating system.
• Your heating system won’t have to work overtime, reducing your bills.
• Lowering your heating needs reduces your environmental impact.

Replace Your Shower Head with an Energy Saving Model

Here’s a change you’ll barely notice at home; but you’ll definitely notice the effect on your bills! Energy-efficient shower heads are relatively cheap to buy and control the dispersion of water to maintain the effect of a powerful shower in the morning without using as much water each time it’s used.

• An energy-efficient shower head reduces water usage while maintaining pressure.
• Less water used and heated means savings on both your water and energy bill.
• Using less water and energy preserves the environment.

Invest in an Automatic Standby Shutdown Device for Your Electronics

Even when turned off, your electronics can still consume energy. This is known as “phantom load” and can be eliminated with an automatic standby shutdown device. These are simple to set up and control (in some cases from your phone) and will automatically switch off devices at the mains without you having to crawl behind cupboards and storage units at the end of every night!

• Cut power to electronics in standby mode, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
• See a decrease in your electric bill by eliminating unnecessary energy usage.
• Reducing electricity usage decreases the demand on power and lowers emissions.

For more simple energy advice on efficient living and tips on how to save money at home, explore our online resources, or apply for energy support here.