1. Phantom appliances 
Your TV, kettle, or phone charger may seem harmless, but appliances left on standby are sneaky energy guzzlers. Even when “off,” they draw power. Smart plugs or simply unplugging what you’re not using can save money over time. For example, a smart speaker costs less than £1 per year, but multiple standby devices add up. 

2. Cooking appliances: oven vs air fryer 
Heating your home isn’t the only costly energy use. Cooking appliances can be surprisingly expensive: 

• Electric oven: £1.10 per cooking cycle; daily use can add over £400 annually. 

• Air fryer: £0.68 per cooking cycle, a more energy-efficient option for small meals. 

• Microwave: just £0.04 per use, making it the cheapest option for reheating or small dishes. 

Simple swaps, like using an air fryer or microwave instead of a full oven, can significantly reduce energy costs. 

3. Draughts and inefficient heating 
Tiny gaps around windows, doors, or skirting boards may not feel cold, but they let heat escape. Similarly, leaving radiators on full when no one’s in the room wastes money. A draught excluder, thermostatic radiator valves, or smart heating controls ensures heat only goes where it’s needed, cutting both bills and carbon emissions. 

4. Old light bulbs and overfilling kettles 
Incandescent bulbs are beautiful but energy-hungry. Switching to LEDs can cut lighting costs by up to 80%. Meanwhile, boiling more water than you need wastes electricity or gas; measure carefully. Over the course of a year, small adjustments like these can save around £25–£30 combined. 

5. Laundry and drying habits 
Washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers make up a significant portion of household energy use. Efficient habits can save money: 

• Wash at lower temperatures and only full loads 

• Use eco settings where available 

• Air-dry clothes instead of tumble drying when possible 

A tumble dryer costs around £131 annually for typical use, so reducing reliance can make a noticeable difference. 

Extra tips to save energy around the home 

• Choose energy-efficient appliances when replacing old ones (A-rated is best). 

• Use laptops over desktop PCs; they use 85% less electricity. 

• Monitor seasonal usage: electric blankets, heaters, and fans can spike bills depending on the time of year. 
• Turn off appliances at the wall rather than leaving them on standby. 

Small changes in how you use your appliances, heat your home, and cook can save hundreds of pounds each year. From unplugging phantom appliances to swapping ovens for air fryers and sealing draughts, a few simple tweaks can reduce bills and benefit the planet. 

Contact us today for expert advice and practical tips to keep more money in your pocket this winter