Is it possible to save money by cutting energy?
Save money by cutting energy.
Saving money by reducing our energy consumption sounds simple. But other than changing lightbulbs, making the kids switch the games console off when they leave their bedroom and turning the heating down a degree or two, what is possible?
Most of us have limited time and budget to make big changes, but I’ve seen a big shift in the support available in Oxfordshire over the past few years. And it’s making a difference.
Energy costs are rarely out of the headlines
High costs can force us to make tough decisions about how much we turn the heating on and how we live.
Colder houses can, in turn, affect our health and well-being, which in turn has a knock-on effect on many other things.
It’s a subject worth talking about
Our homes are significant consumers of energy. We spend a lot of money running them and want them to work for us. We’ve probably all read ways to reduce energy use in the home.
- hanging your washing out / tumble drying less
- washing only full loads, using a lower temperature
- focusing on hot water – shorter showers, less full kettles
- turning off appliances when you’re not using them
- changing your appliance to one with an A+ energy rating
They definitely chip away at the costs, and for more quick wins, visit Better Housing, Better Health and the Energy Saving Trust. The Coop’s DIY home energy audit has some good ideas to help with doing your own energy survey.
Some community action groups offer free or low cost fixes to save energy - contact Draughtbusters in Abingdon, Kidlington, Wallingford and Wantage.
But what about making a more fundamental difference to bills?
Making improvements to our home, making it more energy efficient, known as retrofitting, can make a huge difference.
Retrofitting sounds complicated but it’s really not, and there’s lots of support available across Oxfordshire. It’s simply about improving homes to make them more energy efficient, cosy, healthy and, well, homely!
Things like:
- Insulation in the loft, underfloor and in walls where appropriate.
- Double or triple glazing windows.
- Solar panels to create energy.
- Air source heat pumps. The government has a simple online questionnaire to check whether a heat pump would be suitable for your home.
Accessing support to make these bigger changes is easier than ever
- Cosy Homes Oxfordshire is a one-stop-shop home retrofit service. Use their free plan builder app to quickly get an idea about the changes you could make to your home. You can also register for a home energy assessment.
- Got a smart meter? The easiest way to check how you use energy is to get our free energy saver app which links to your phone and can tell you exactly where your energy is being used in your home.
Some lucky energy saver app users will also be offered energy saving appliances (like solar panels, batteries and heat pumps) for a low monthly subscription fee or even for free. The first Oxfordshire residents have had theirs installed and are seeing the benefits already.
- All private rented tenants, landlords and homeowners can contact Better Housing Better Health for information about grants towards free or discounted insulation, boilers and draught proofing.
What can we lose by taking a closer look?
By saving energy, we not only protect our environment but also significantly reduce our expenses, putting more money back into our pockets at a time when every penny counts.
Dale Hoyland is an expert on energy saving at Oxfordshire County Council, working within the climate action team. He’s also a passionate advocate for making energy-saving support accessible to all, reducing the inequality gap across the county, and ensuring a sustainable planet for future generations.