The UK and Ireland are greatly suffering from a cost of living crisis, and it has never been more important to cut electrical costs where possible. The cost of living crisis means the costs incurred on citizens are increasing. However, their salary has not increased. Therefore, many citizens are struggling to afford the most basic weekly groceries. The increase in costs across the UK has also affected electricity prices.

In April 2022, household energy costs increased by 54%. To put this into perspective, someone who spent £10 per week on electricity will now spend £15.40. Therefore, it is crucial that we use our expertise to help customers find small ways to cut their electrical costs.

At ABC Electrical, we care about our customers, and we want to help you where we can. That’s why we have compiled a list of our top tips for cutting electrical costs. 

1. Stop using standby mode on your electrical devices

Out of habit, we often turn our devices onto standby, or ‘sleep’ mode when we are not using them. When on standby, your devices are still using electricity. The scope of devices that use electricity when they are not being used includes TVs, microwaves, and even phone chargers.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, between 9-16% of our electricity is used to power unused devices. This may seem like a small number, but these small percentages add together quickly when you make changes to your electrical habits. In the spirit of turning things off when we are not using them, we also encourage you to turn your lights off when you leave a room.

2. Switch up your lighting

When working with our customers, we often find their electrical systems are outdated. This includes light fittings, which can use a lot of electricity unnecessarily. At ABC Electrical, we encourage our customers to switch to LED lightning where possible. This is because LEDs are an environmentally-friendly alternative to older light bulbs.

LEDs are also beneficial to have throughout your home as they have a longer lifespan and offer better light quality. If you are considering a switch in your lighting systems throughout your home, get in contact with us. ABC Electrical carry out a range of small electrical jobs across Northern Ireland, including changes to lighting fixtures.

3. Invest in double-glazed windows

A large investment such as new windows may not be attractive in the short-term. These costs are large and daunting, and you might not feel confident in the benefits you will see. However, we often encourage customers to invest in double glazed windows if they are able to.

Double glazed windows are extremely beneficial to the insulation of your home. They are also effective in all weather conditions, as they prevent heat from getting from one side to the other. Therefore, double-glazed windows stop heat from escaping during the winter – meaning you don’t have to turn the heating on as often. On the other hand, the windows also keep the heat out during the summer months.

4. Switch to energy-efficient appliances to cut costs

Again, now might not be the time to make large investments. However, the initial costs of switching to energy-efficient appliances are worthwhile as you will save electrical costs in the long term. Energy-efficient appliances have lower running costs, and they are also better for the environment! Making investments to switch to energy-efficient appliances seems daunting. However, switching to an environmentally friendly fridge can reduce your electricity bill by over £550. 

5. Fill the dishwasher before use

In our world of impatience, many of us half-fill the dishwasher and then turn it on. This ultimately means we run the dishwasher far too often. Almost 8% of our electricity bills go into using the dishwasher. Imagine how much money you could save if you waited until the dishwasher was full before running it. 

6. Put the kettle down

According to the Energy Saving Trust, nearly three-quarters of UK households admit to overfilling the kettle. This means we are using an excessive amount of electricity to boil a kettle when we are possibly making only one cup of coffee. With the correct funds, a boiling water tap is an excellent addition to the home.

Having a boiling water tap means you use the exact amount of water you need. On the other hand, there are energy-efficient kettles which are a great alternative. These kettles only boil the amount of water you need and can save you up to £11 per year on electricity. Again, it all adds up! 

Contact ABC Electrical for more advice on cutting electrical costs

We are proud to offer an honest and reliable electrical service throughout the areas of Belfast, Portadown, Banbridge, Craigavon and Armagh. Through this service we aim to help our customers as much as we possibly can. That’s why we are doing our very best to help cut your electricity costs where possible. 

For further information and advice on cutting electrical costs, get in touch with us.