Save your energy: how to keep on top of bills when you’re spending more time at home

If you’re conscious of using more energy while you’re learning to love the great indoors, you’re not alone. Joe Richardson, UK General Manager, at green energy company Bulb, is here to share his tips for keeping your bills in check.

Get clever in the kitchen

• Cooking one big meal instead of lots of little ones will save energy (and cut down on the washing up). Let your leftovers cool down properly before you store them. Warm food raises the temperature of a fridge so it has to work hard to cool itself down again.

• Using the right size lid and the right size hob for your pots and pans reduces the time and energy it takes to heat your food.

Choose your room

• Switch off the lights and follow the sun if you can. Taking advantage of natural light can save energy and reduce your bills – but it can also help improve your mood and boost productivity when working from home.

• Close doors to empty spaces and focus your heating on the room you’re using. Reduce draughts and make friends with your thermostat – turning your heating down by just 1 degree can make a big difference to your energy bill.

Govern your gadgets

• Electronics and appliances on standby mode use a surprising amount of energy, given half a chance. Turn your devices off at the switch when you’re not using them to avoid paying for that little red dot.

• Remember to unplug phones and laptops on charge. They’re still using electricity, even at 100%.

Get familiar with your energy

• Submit more regular meter readings to your supplier while you’re spending more time at home. This will help you to keep an eye on expenses and avoid any unexpected bills in the future.

• Shop around for the best deal on your gas and electricity. Energy switches are handled remotely, so your power won’t be interrupted if you choose to swap suppliers.

For more advice and support with energy over the coming weeks, visit bulb.co.uk.