Top energy tips to save money

Why save energy?

The main benefit of reducing how much energy you use at home is you’ll save money on your gas and electricity bills, but making your home more energy efficient can also have huge environmental benefits.

Here are seven simple ways to reduce your use and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

1. Pull the plug

Home appliances left on standby use electricity, even when not in use. Turning your appliances off at the wall when you’re not using them lowers your electricity costs - especially if you live in a busy family.

Consider pulling the plug instead of leaving these appliances on standby:

• TVs
• Laptops and desktop PCs
• Games consoles
• HiFi systems
• Set-top boxes
• HDR recorders
• Digital radios
• Mobile chargers

3. Take control

Don’t waste energy by heating your home while asleep or out and about. Set your heating and hot water on a schedule to fit your daily routine.

• Use a heating timer- radiators heat your home for some time after the heating is turned off so turn on your heating 30 minutes before you need it and off 30 minutes before you go out
• Consider a ‘smart heating system’ - they control time and temperature, and you can set them to your regular routines from your smartphone
• Consider an electricity monitor to see what energy you’re using in real time. It could help you make changes and take control of your consumption

5. Take a shower

If you are fond of long, deep baths or power showers, you’ll use more energy to heat the water.

A shower uses only 20% of the energy needed to heat water for a full bath, so opt for a regular shower instead. If you have a power shower, shorten your shower time and dial down the pressure.

If you don’t have a shower, keep bath times short and shallow.

7. Hang it out

The tumble dryer is one of the most expensive appliances in our homes, using around 2.5 kilowatts per hour (kWh) per hour, so use it sparingly. In good weather, dry your clothes outside or on a clothes horse in a warm room on wet days.

You can save money by washing your clothes efficiently too. Avoid prewashing and wash your clothes at 30 degrees with a liquid detergent whenever possible.

If your washing machine has an eco programme, use it to save 30% on energy usage and fully load your drum to keep washes to a minimum.

Insulate your home

Your home can lose up to 30% of its heat through poorly insulated walls and attics, but a well-insulated home will keep warmth in and reduce your energy bills.

Investing in effective insulation has a big impact on reducing heat loss and helping you save money on your energy bills.

Here are some of the different types:

• Attic insulation keeps heat from escaping through the roof. This is the most cost-effective way to insulate and should cause minimal disruption.
• Cavity wall insulation is suitable when your walls consist of two rows of bricks or concrete blocks with a cavity or space between them. The insulation is injected into the wall from the outside.
• Internal wall insulation is also known as dry lining and is suitable if you have solid walls or other walls that aren’t suitable for cavity insulation. Insulation boards are applied to the inside of any external walls.

SEAI offers a range of home energy upgrade grants covering up to 50% of the cost. For attic and cavity wall insulation you may qualify for a grant that covers up to 80% of the cost.

Check your boiler is safe and efficient

Get your boiler serviced and checked regularly by a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). This will ensure your boiler is running safely and efficiently.

Older boilers are less energy efficient than modern ones, so consider whether it’s worth paying out for repairs when a new boiler may be more cost-effective. Here are the pros and cons of paying for repairs vs replacing your boiler.

A boiler care plan could help to spread the cost of servicing and repairs if your boiler breaks down. Our guide: How do boiler servicing plans work? explain what’s included and how to choose the right cover.

Upgrade your old appliances

All appliances sold in the EU have an energy rating from A+++ to G which can be found on the label.

Appliances with a lower rating cost much more to run than those with a high rating. The A+++ rating is the most energy efficient and G is the least efficient.

So, if you have a lot of white goods e.g. washing machine, fridge/freezer, or oven with a low rating, consider replacing them with more efficient models.

Install solar panels

Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules are solar panels that generate electricity when exposed to light. You can get these installed on the roof of your home and use the power generated to supply energy to your home.

Solar panels that produce hot water are known as solar thermal panels or solar hot water collectors, they can be a cheaper way to generate hot water.

Installing solar panels can generate clean, green renewable energy from daylight and any excess can be automatically used to heat your water. So, not only will you save on your energy bills, but you’ll also be doing your bit for the environment.

Switch your gas and electricity supplier

The best way to reduce your energy costs is to switch to a discounted deal using our free gas and electricity comparison service. If you haven’t changed your supplier in over a year, compare electricity suppliers and switch to a cheaper energy plan.

If you struggle to pay your energy bills, visit What help can you get paying your energy bills? and check if you qualify for support.