Saving energy and save money
Cost of Living Campaign - Price Watch
A PROPERTY expert has revealed the top tips to use around the home to keep bills to a minimum as energy prices surge.
We’re all feeling the pinch right now and we need all the help we can to cope. We can offer some help via the National World Cost of Living - Price Watch campaign that lends a listening ear and some useful tips. This campaign is the second of our cost of living drives, following on from the company’s successful Heat & Eat and Keep Us Warm This Winter crusades.
With energy prices rising, household bills and the general cost of living is set to follow suit for millions across the UK, including those in rental apartments.
Kimberley Pope, resident service manager at Grainger’s newly launched Weavers Yard development in Newbury, shares her household hacks and tips, to help cut down the energy usage in your home and to help save on rising costs.
She said: “All properties have an energy performance certificate (EPC) to measure how energy efficient a property
Our
highlights the impact of rising bills on our readers
is. Each property is graded between A and G, with A being the most efficient and G as the least efficient.
“Recent JLL data shows the average annual energy bill of a property with an EPC level G is now on average £3,246 higher versus a property with an EPC of A to C. When searching for your next apartment, an EPC level of A to C is highly recommended to help save on energy bills throughout the year.
“Build to Rent developments are properties that are designed and built with the needs of modern day renters in mind.”
Kimberlety advises you to ditch the dryer: “As the days get brighter and the temperature gets warmer, there’s no better time to cut back on using your tumble dryer.
“Switch out hours of tumble drying for a low-cost airer and benefit from the improving weather to naturally air-dry clothes in your home.
“You can even pick a handy airer which hangs neatly over a door to save on space and money, plus your home will be filled with the scent of lovely freshly laundered washing.”
She also asks that you be strategic with your dishwasher: “Let’s face it, no one enjoys the task of washing dishes after a meal. And for many modernday renters, a dish washer is often considered a deal breaker when selecting a new apartment.
“My top tip boils down to your dishwasher packing technique, treat it almost like a game of Tetris, fill the dishwasher as much as possible, as this will ensure it’s only used every couple of days and won’t massively impact your energy usage.
“Make sure you are utilising all the space available within the machine, pack cups, glasses and cooking utensils on the top shelf of the dishwasher, leaving space below for plates to be neatly stacked in a row, with bowls and casserole dishes, therefore using the washer less and reducing energy usage and associated bills.”
And finally she urges people to use energy saving bulbs: “If you’re looking to keep your apartment bright but also want to save money on electricity bills, switching to energy saving light bulbs or solar powered lamps is a must.”