By: Harley Cheetham

Rising energy costs are currently a concern to many households in the UK. Here at Blossomfield, we understand the massive impact of the gas price climb on many of our clients. In this article, we talk about what you can do to get your energy bills under control in 2022.

Wholesale energy prices have been climbing throughout 2021 and are predicted to rise up to another 50% by spring. According to the ONS Food and Living Survey, the average household spends around £24.60 per week on electricity, gas and other fuels; this could mean a rise of around £640 per year is on the horizon.

For some, the answer to these rising costs could lie in smart home tech. Smart technology could lessen the impact on the environment and your wallet; below, we talk about two of our favourite devices that could help you reduce your consumption.

Smart Thermostat

The cost of heating will be the most significant contributor to monthly energy bills for many households. However, by installing a smart thermostat, you could cut between 20% and 30% off your annual gas bill, saving the average household up to £162.24 per year. With a range of devices available and reasonably priced at around £250.00, this is a great way to reduce your environmental impact whilst reducing monthly bills.

Smart Plugs

Smart plugs have a range of functions, often including setting schedules and controlling devices remotely. Many models also monitor the energy usage of different devices, how much they are costing and how you could save. However, in this context, we talk about the energy-saving capabilities of plugs with a 'standby saver' function. 'Standby saver' prevents devices from consuming energy whilst in stand by mode, as you can turn appliances off with a remote.

The latest generation gaming consoles consume on average 15 Watts of power when left in standby mode, equating to a cost of around £33 per year. As many homes own between one and four of these devices, bill payers could save up to £132 a year simply by ensuring consoles are switched off at the plug.

It may not be easy for many to switch devices on and off from the plug regularly. Therefore, plugs with a 'standby saver' function are very useful at reducing energy consumption. Some smart plugs also allow users to switch off their devices via a mobile app, making it easier than fiddling around all the furniture.

General advice and tips

Smart technology effectively reduces energy bills. However, you can still make a difference even if you are on a budget, with relatively minor changes to your daily habits. For example, washing clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 degrees reduces energy consumption by around 40%.

With the government urging energy providers to install smart meters in every home in the UK, a smart meter could be an easy way to track your energy consumption better. Smart meters often come with an in-home display that will tell you your current energy consumption in real-time. This information can help you understand which devices are consuming the most energy and enable you to make changes to reduce your costs.

Your energy provider will schedule to install a smart meter free of charge, if they have not done so already, reach out to them directly to start saving.

Insulation, double glazed windows, modern heating systems, along with smart thermostats can improve your property's energy performance (EPC) rating. A good EPC rating will make your home more appealing to potential buyers if you are considering selling.

The benefits of improving your EPC rating are not just for those looking to sell. Lower mortgage rates are available to those remortgaging properties with the best EPC ratings.

For more information about low carbon and green home mortgages, reach out to us directly at Blossomfield Mortgages and see how we can help.