Why student homes are naturally less efficient
Most students at Uni are living alone for the first time, meaning they haven’t had experience being the responsible adult of a household before. This means little mistakes can get made, like leaving lights on, not closing windows/doors even though the heating’s on and not unplugging devices when they’re finished with. Little mistakes like this, when multiplied by three or four extra housemates, can start to add up.
The hidden habits that push your bills up
Leaving devices on standby
TV’s, laptops, games consoles and more all have standby modes, allowing them to stay in a “ready to use” mode. However, even though you may save a few seconds between turning on and using it, it can cost a lot more money than you expect. Turning devices off fully and unplugging them when not in use can help keep your uni bills under control.
Overusing electric heaters
Turning on a heater just for one person is a wasteful way of heating the home, but no one likes to be left cold when they’re at home. If everyone’s bedroom has its own heater, it’s tempting to use it just when you need it without thinking about the overall cost.
Long showers and shared schedules
Water usage in shared houses can be astronomical. If everyone’s using the shower first thing in the morning during peak hours, the costs can climb, especially if everyone’s taking their sweet time getting ready.
Cooking separately instead of together
Heating the oven up, boiling the kettle or waiting for the stove to heat all drain electricity. If this is being done three or four times per day by three or four different housemates, it can be incredibly expensive. Try cooking together at the same time so the oven stays hot, the kettle only needs to be boiled once, and the hob doesn’t need to be switched off and on repeatedly.
How energy use adds up in shared houses
Think of how much energy one person uses, then multiply that by how many people you live with and think of the little mistakes that can get made. Even one person not thinking about the costs can cause your usage to spike unintentionally. This then has a knock-on effect on everyone as your bills start to climb.
Small changes that make a big difference
Agree on heating hours
While everyone will likely have different morning and day schedules due to different classes, more people will likely be home in the evenings due to Uni lectures not running into the evenings. Heating the whole house when one person is home due to a free period seems like a waste, but heating it when everyone gets home on a Monday evening makes way more sense.
Use your smart meter to spot patterns
Smart meters allow you to track when your highest energy usage is, meaning you can work out when you’re wasting it the most and when it’s needed. This way, you can tailor your usage moving forward.
Layer up and use draught stoppers
Even in the colder months, you don’t always need to have the heating cranked to full. Wearing an extra layer around the house can keep you warm and mean you don’t have to have the heating on in every room. Also, draught stoppers will help keep the cold out and the heat in, meaning you’ll spend less money and stay warmer.
Batch-cook and share appliances
If everyone’s having pasta, cook one massive pot of pasta to save electricity and time. If everyone’s having pizza, get as many as you can in the oven in one go. If everyone agrees, share the same meal. You’ll reduce the effort, time and most importantly, the energy usage.
Why energy awareness matters
It’s challenging to stay on top of cost-saving tips and tricks, especially when you’re busy juggling lectures and coursework. Staying aware of your energy usage and how much is going to waste can keep your overall energy usage lower, help save the planet and keep more money in your pockets.
We can help you understand how your student house uses more energy
At The Student Energy Group, we want you to enjoy your time at Uni rather than stressing about bills, money and carbon emissions. Our blog is packed with helpful and easy-to-follow tips to keep your household energy efficient and warm.
