Six ways to save energy this winter

One of the best ways to save money at home while reducing your impact on the planet is to adopt smarter energy habits

With energy prices increasing once again this winter, making your home more efficient is one of the best ways to take control of your bills.

In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust, the average UK household could save up to £356 a year just by making small changes. Here are six smart ways to make your home more energy efficient this winter.

1. Be smart with your lighting

All Tilia Homes come fitted with energy-efficient LED lighting, which uses up to 80% less electricity than traditional bulbs. To make even greater savings, switch off lights in empty rooms, and make the most of natural daylight wherever possible.

Another simple trick to make your home feel brighter on darker days is to position mirrors near windows and keep windowsills clear to reflect even more natural light. This prevents the need to switch on extra lamps during the day.

2. Turn off standby appliances

It’s easy to forget about devices often left on standby, like TVs, games consoles and kitchen appliances, but they quietly use power even when they’re not being used.

It only takes a few seconds each day but remembering to switch them off at the plug can add up to savings of around £55 a year.

3. Use your heating controls

One of the easiest ways to reduce your energy bills is by managing your heating effectively. And if you have a new build Tilia home, you’ll benefit from a programmable room thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature of your home, and the times you want it to come on.

Try to keep the temperature steady rather than constantly adjusting it and your heating system will run more efficiently. Most people find that 18–21°C is the perfect temperature for warmth and cost-efficiency, and even by lowering it by one degree, you could save over £100 each year.

4. Cut back on hot water usage

Hot water accounts for over half of the average home energy bill, but some of our simple and low-effort energy-saving tips that can quickly reduce your spend this winter are:

• Cutting your shower time by just a few minutes. 
• Washing clothes at 30°C, which couldreduceenergy use by 40%.
• Only running your dishwasher and washing machine when full.
• Air drying or using a clothes rack rather than using the tumble dryer.

5. Cook and warm up smarter

The kitchen is one of the easiest ways to save money on bills in winter. After using the oven, leave the door open slightly to let the remaining heat warm the room, which can be especially helpful on chilly evenings.

When cooking, pop lids on pots to trap steam and batch cook meals for the week to both use your oven efficiently and save time during the week. And when you’re making a hot drink, only boil the water you need to make sure you’re not unnecessarily wasting energy.

6. Keep warm naturally

A new Tilia home has been designed to retain heat well, but you can still help them perform at their best. Open curtains wide during the day to let sunlight naturally warm your rooms, then close them as soon as it gets dark to trap heat inside.

Adding soft furnishings can make a real difference too. Thick curtains, cushions and throws can both make a room feel cosy and help to keep the warmth in during the winter season.

Save more on bills this winter with Tilia Homes

Living in a new build home by Tilia Homes means your house already does much of the hard work for you. From solar panels and LED lighting to air-source heat pumps and high-performance windows, every feature is designed to help you live more comfortably and sustainably.

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of energy-efficient living, explore the latest Tilia Homes developments today.