From costly food shops to enjoying a meal out with friends, university life is naturally expensive, and energy bills can add to this. We’ve put together five simple tips that you can take on board to help you cut your energy costs.
Why Energy Efficiency Matters for Students
A long shower after a day of lectures or putting the heating up to full blast after a chilly evening walk can feel like heaven. However, if you’re not careful, you’ll be met with a hefty energy bill. By making small changes, students can work towards lowering their energy bills. As well as this, being energy efficient can help protect the environment, which is why it’s good to get into habits early. Remember, reducing energy costs is a group effort, so it’s important to discuss with your housemates how you can all get involved. Let’s take a look at some changes you can put into place.
Unplug Devices When Not In Use
Devices left plugged in can still use electricity, even when they aren’t being used. This is only a small amount, but if you’ve left lots of devices plugged in on standby around the house, this builds up. By simply unplugging your phone charger or a bedside lamp that isn’t being used, you can work towards saving money on your energy bill.
Switch to LED Light bulbs
These lights produce as much light as a regular bulb, but their energy consumption is a lot less. They often have a higher upfront cost, but are cost-efficient in the long run because they typically have a longer lifespan and can help you save money on your energy bill. By using LED light bulbs around the house, you can also reduce your carbon footprint.
Use Power Strips Smartly
Multiple devices can be plugged into a power strip, and these can use electricity, even when they aren’t being used. Power strips usually have a switch on them which you can turn off when you aren’t using any of the plugged-in devices. If you’re a forgetful person, you may benefit from using a smart power strip. These can detect if devices are on standby and cut the power off to save electricity. Many smart power strips can also be controlled remotely, giving you more control over individual outlets.
Use a Draught Excluder
Students often hesitate to turn the heating on during colder days and evenings because it can be costly. However, this leaves the house feeling chilly. Many people get themselves a draught excluder, which blocks gaps around doors and windows. This keeps the room warm by stopping cold air from making its way in, and maintains a consistent temperature. You can buy draught excluders in the form of self-adhesive strips with a sticky back for the window, making them easy to install. Draught excluders designed to go at the bottom of the door come in a number of designs, so you may choose fun ones to put around the house. Although they’re often associated with winter, they can be used in the summer as well to keep cold air inside.
Dry Clothes Naturally
You probably bundle your clothes into the tumble dryer without a second thought, but doing this can actually use a lot of energy. The high temperatures generated by a tumble dryer can also lead to fading, shrinking, and wear and tear on your clothes. Get yourself a clothes airer to go indoors or a washing line to hang your clothes outside. You could split the cost of this between all of your housemates and share your clothes airer, as saving on your energy bill is a group effort. If you’re drying clothes inside, consider buying disposable dehumidifiers to go around the house to capture the moisture.
How TSEG Can Help You Save Money on Energy Bills
At The Student Energy Group, we understand how important it is to save money on your bills. We’ll combine all your student bills into one monthly statement, including energy, internet, gas, water, and TV licence. This can be split equally between you and the people you live with to make managing your expenses much easier. When you sign up with us, we’ll plant a tree as a step towards helping the environment. Get a free, no-obligation quote from us today to start saving on your bills.
