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The average energy bill for UK homes is more than £1,300 per year. If you had to make a purchase of over a grand, you’d think twice before signing on the dotted line. At the very least, you’d do your research and ensure it was necessary so that there is an element of protection.
Regarding household bills, you probably pay them monthly without giving them a second thought. Considering the amount they cost, it’s essential to try and cut back where possible. The good news is that there is one area where you’re indulging – appliances.
From fridges and ovens to air fryers and smart speakers, there are plenty of electronics that zap energy as if it grows on trees. The first thing you must do is assess whether every item in your house is necessary and adds value.
Once you’ve done that, you should follow the steps underneath. Here are four ways to save money on household appliances and lower a £1,300 energy bill to one that costs hundreds of pounds.
Pay More For A Superior Product
With so many manufacturers and suppliers on the market, it’s hard to decide which items are superior and which are inferior. The best way to tell, aside from customer reviews, is the price. Although bargains are available, you’ll find that high-quality products are priced less competitively than their rivals.
Yes, you can use this as an excuse to avoid the brand altogether by saying it’s out of your budget. Or, you can consider the benefits of investing in an energy-efficient appliance that will last for years. Remember that inefficiency and repair expenses add to the bill that you have to pick up at the end of the month.
Of course, if things do go wrong, you want to be able to repair the appliance rather than replacing it. Whether it’s Bosch or Electrolux vacuum cleaner parts, you know that you can obtain them without paying over the odds. Why? It’s because popular brands continue to manufacture parts, and they’re available online at discounted rates.
The idea of paying extra upfront isn’t appealing, not when you have more expenses to factor in. However, in the long-term, it’s the best strategy as it will prevent you from overpaying from an energy and maintenance perspective.
Turn Them Off
You’ve paid for an eco-friendly appliance that automatically reduces your home’s carbon footprint. All you need to do now is sit back and relax and let your washing machine or fridge do the heavy lifting. It’s tempting to assume that the product will take your energy and monetary requirements into account, yet that isn’t the case.
The truth is that the modern nature of appliances can add to your household bills. The reason for this is that they go into standby mode and continue to guzzle gas and electricity. A typical home may have up to twenty gadgets plugged into the sockets. According to Orange Coast plumbing, this means devices that are left switched on for a day will eat up around 10% of your electricity.
As a result, there’s only one thing to do – flick the switch from “on” to “off.” It doesn’t sound like much, but it will slash around £130 from your energy costs every year. And, that’s only the start. By switching appliances off religiously, this figure may double or treble.
It’s not as straightforward as it sounds as you have a routine, and you’ll need to change it. But, it’s doable if you get into the habit of cutting the power supply after every use. For items that require constant electricity, such as refrigerators, you should turn them down to their lowest setting.
Buy At Affordable Times
An affordable time is a vague statement. When you don’t have any disposable income, you won’t be able to afford a purchase. It’s that simple. Still, even when you have money left over, it’s not a good idea to buy an appliance until you’ve done some research.
Usually, this means shopping around for the best bargains. Doing it during the holidays, while the demand is high, is an excellent option because there are lots of sales. Promotions are competitive, yet you can secure great deals if you’re quick enough and decisive. You can create email alerts online to make sure you’re informed of the latest price cuts.
Alternatively, you can buy appliances at any time if you opt for second-hand or used products. Okay, they aren’t as shiny, but you shouldn’t believe the myths surrounding them. For one thing, used appliances are available in major shops, which means they come with guarantees and warranties. Secondly, flaws are often cosmetic.
Scratches and chips aren’t structurally damaging. Plus, you can paint over them or paint the item in a different colour so that they are inconspicuous. Keep the shades light as they reduce the contrast and make flaws less noticeable.
Live To Your Means
The 21st-century may be technologically-advanced, but it encourages people to live beyond their means. The signs are small, but they are there. For instance, how many smart appliances do you own? Over 20% of homes in the UK have a smart speaker, so the chances are that you have an Amazon Echo or Google Home product.
While they are cool and novel, they don’t add much value to your life. Let’s face it – you can live without the thirty seconds it saves you when playing music or a podcast. Compared to the amount you have to pay in energy, reducing the number of appliances in your home is a no-brainer.
All you need to do is be honest and highlight the items that are always around because you’re lazy. Then, not only can you rely on your smartphone, which requires a lot less electricity, but you can sell them online and make even more money. That’s a double-whammy!
Living to your means isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to save money for the future.
How do you cut the costs of high energy bills caused by household appliances?
