Cost of Living: Where Can You Save Money?
It was recently announced by Ofgem that the typical household energy bill will rise to £3,549 a year from October 1st.
It's no secret that the cost of living crisis is affecting everybody in some way. We have been thinking about ways to save money as we start to transition from summer to autumn.
It was recently announced by Ofgem that the typical household energy bill will rise to £3,549 a year from October 1st
It's no secret that the cost of living crisis is affecting everybody in some way. We have been thinking about ways to save money as we start to transition from summer to autumn. Although it can be a worrying time for many, there are a plethora of ways you can save money by making small changes. Let's take a look at some to help get you started.
What appliances do you use?
There has been much debate over the various appliances that aid our cooking, but how much energy does each appliance use? It is really handy to know in advance, so that you can plan your meals and ensure you aren't cutting out nutrition in replacement for a quick and easy food fix.
When looking at the daily cost of running kitchen appliances, we found the cost as follows:
Microwave – 8p
Air fryer – 14p
Slow cooker – 16p
Dual cooker - 72p
Electric Oven – 87p
These numbers are based on cookers being used for 43 minutes a day on average, and all other appliances being used for 20 minutes. They look very different, don't they?
Knowing full well that it isn't really achievable to solely use a microwave for all cooking, there are ways to keep the more expensive appliances off for more than you usually would. Those Ofgem figures are indeed scary, but the fact still remains – you pay for what you use.
Heated airers vs the humble tumble dryer
It's safe to say our autumn and winter months can prove wet and grey, so drying on the line isn't always a choice we have.
Before comparing the running costs of a tumble dryer to a heated airer, it's crucial to remember that the different makes, models, general usage and size all heavily impact how much these machines will cost to run.
Before you buy, have a quick calculation to see how much you're likely to pay based on the wattage of the appliance, how often you dry clothes and the amount you will pay for electricity.
Pre April 2022 figures give the average price giving a nod toward the heated airer being cheaper. Some heated airers can cost as little as 3p to 6p per hour to run. If left for 8 hours, or all day, you'd be looking at about 48p to dry your laundry.
A tumble dryer that uses 4.5kWh of energy per cycle can cost around 67p for that cycle to run. Whilst heated airers are on for longer, they still work out cheaper – a little like a slow cooker.
How can I save money?
It can be difficult to start thinking about ways to save money, and as food and bills rise, you might feel as though you're fighting a losing battle, but every penny saved really does help.
Batch cook – If that oven is on, make sure you are utilising it fully. Food that can be safely reheated can go in at once and stored in your fridge to save the oven going on twice.
Pre-planning meals – Ensure you are fully prepared for the meals you will be cooking for each week. This will save money and time in the supermarket, as well as thinking ahead when cooking. Shopping lists work very well with pre-planning, so spending costs can be kept down.
Consider supermarket saving stamps – With Christmas on its way, Morrisons offer a saving stamps scheme, where you can buy a stamp for £1 and save, with a few free stamps thrown in if you reach £100. These schemes are great for spreading the cost, and come December you won't need to panic about groceries or gifts.
Save water – We know the hosepipe ban is preventing a lot of extra usage, but in order to keep your water bills down long term, consider swapping baths for showers, or turning the tap off when you brush your teeth. Is it an excuse to wash up less? Perhaps! Waiting until you have a good amount to put in the sink saves more water than constantly washing up what you use.
Stand by devices – These eat away at our bills, and whilst the cost may not seem that much, as prices rise, so will the cost of keeping your TV on standby for no reason whatsoever. Consider unplugging them, an any chargers not in use.
EXTRA ENERGY TIP – Depending on your tariff and energy company, you may want to look at your monthly outgoings. Regular meter readings will ensure you are paying for what you use, and that you don't end up in a huge amount of debt come the spring.
We understand how rising bills are going to affect you, and we have the same concerns. The important thing is to look after yourself, and make the most of what your home has to offer. Line those draughty windows, and look after yourselves.