How smart technology can help you save money around the home

RISING household bills remain a concern for many – and those who are entertaining guests over Easter may be using more energy than usual.

While keeping bills down isn’t easy, there may be some simple ways technology can lend a helping hand to save some money around the home.

Gavin Murray, director of British Gas’s smart home expert, Hive, says: “Research we recently conducted shows that nearly a third of Brits are worried about their energy bills, so people will be looking to reduce their energy use and cut costs wherever they can. Clever smart home technology can also help you become more energy-efficient – which is good for your pocket and the planet.”

Here are Murray’s tips for how households can make savings, including by using smart home tech.

■ 1. Be bright with lights

Lighting makes up 11 per cent of average UK household electricity consumption, according to the Energy Saving Trust. “Being savvy with how you light your home is a good place to start,” says Murray. “As well as simply turning off your lights when you leave the room, it’s worth ensuring all of your bulbs are LED, and switching the ones that aren’t.”

According to the Energy Saving Trust’s website, switching incandescent bulbs to LEDs may potentially save as much as £14 per bulb, per year, based on a 100 watt bulb.

Smart plugs can also be used for lighting appliances such as lamps.

■ 2. Consider a smart thermostat

Smart thermostats enable people to manage their heating and hot water from their phone. Murray says the tech can give people more control and visibility of their energy use.

“For example, you can get alerts if your heating is still on when you leave the house and set energy-saving schedules that work around you – all from your phone,” he says.

Smart radiator valves can also be linked to the smart thermostat, to control the temperature in each room of the property.

■ 3. Consider tweaking your routine

“Making a simple change to when you use appliances and technology such as dishwashers and washing machines is a lesserknown way to save money,” says Murray.

Some schemes may incentivise off-peak energy use, when general demand is lower.

“For example, with British Gas’s PeakSave scheme, customers can sign up to be rewarded for moving electricity use out of peak times, including half-price electricity between 11am to 4pm on Sundays until March 31,” says Murray.

“So, if you’re thinking about when to get on top of your laundry or tackle the washing up, you can do that on a Sunday while earning credit towards your bill or meter.”

■ 4. Choose cooking methods wisely

Around three per cent of the average home’s energy use comes from cooking, according to the Energy Saving Trust, so it’s worth considering the appliances being used when planning meals.

Of course, the most suitable appliance will depend on what you’re cooking and for how many people. If you’re preparing a meal for one or two people, the Energy Saving Trust suggests an air fryer may be cheaper to run. To keep costs down, it also suggests trying not to open the compartment more than necessary, to avoid letting out heat and wasting energy.

Batch cooking in a full oven and then reheating portions when they are needed in the microwave is another suggestion by the experts.