Ever since the height of the energy crisis, when the energy price cap was set at more than £4,000 a year for an average household, I have been on a bit of a quest to reduce my energy bills.
I’d tried simple things to save energy at home, like making the switch from incandescent bulbs to energy-saving alternatives, turning lights off when I leave a room and blocking any draughts that let the cold air in and warm air out. I’ve also been following the Martin Lewis-approved 4pm rule to keep heat in. But I wanted to do more.
1. I installed radiator reflectors
My house is more than 50 years old, and so it’s safe to say that it’s not the most energy-efficient. For the first few years I lived here, I regularly nudged the thermostat up a degree or two and put the heating on for an extra hour to keep it warm. But from an energy usage point of view, that was definitely not a habit I wanted to continue, especially when energy prices skyrocketed as we came out of the pandemic.
To combat this, I installed radiator reflectors behind any radiator that sat on an outside wall, and they have been a game-changer. I’m much less likely to knock the heating on for another hour as my house feels warmer for longer. I’ve also noticed I don’t nudge the thermostat up anywhere near as much as I used to before they were installed.
Better still, the reflectors were quick and easy to install, and now that they’re sitting behind my radiators, I don’t really need to think about them.
Radflek
Radflek Radiator Reflectors (5 Sheets)
These are the reflectors I bought, and the 5 pack was plenty for all the radiators that sit on external walls in my house. I’ve even bought them as gifts for family and friends because I was so impressed with their effectiveness.
2. I used my electric heater strategically
Talking about even the best electric heater in an article about saving energy might seem a little counterproductive, but I think it’s how I use it that has made the biggest difference for me.
When it comes to how long I have my heating on each day, it’s between four and five hours, but half of those are in the evening when I’ve finished working. I work from home, so I need to be warm, but I definitely don’t want (or need) to have my central heating on all day, heating rooms that I’m not in.
And so when I’m at my desk, I use an electric heater to give me a burst of heat when I need it, and heat the room I’m in, rather than the whole house. There are some days when I don’t need it, and other days when I need it more, but it heats up the room quickly, and I don’t leave it running longer than I need.
Mill WiFi Max 1500W Portable Electric Heater
I’m testing this electric heater for an upcoming review, but love that I can control the temperature from the app so I can customise it how I need. It’s also super quiet, which I’m grateful for when working.
Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater 714s
Fellow Ideal Home team member Lauren loved this Dreo electric heater when she tested it earlier in the year. She appreciates how powerful and portable it is, and the fact that it doubles up as a fan in the summer.
Pro Breeze Oil Filled Radiator With 11 Fins
This Pro Breeze oil-filled radiator occupies the top spot in our guide to the best oil-filled radiators you can buy and for good reason. It’s effective, looks nice and comes at a great price point.
3. I changed my conservatory roof
Changing my conservatory roof from glass panels to a solid, well-insulated structure was a huge investment, but so, so worth it from a comfort (and hopefully energy efficiency) point of view.
Before, my conservatory was completely unusable from about the middle of October until the end of March because it was so cold. For reasons that flummoxed me completely, the previous owners of my house had also removed the doors that should have been between the kitchen diner and the conservatory, and so all of the warmth that was generated just escaped through the roof.
As a temporary measure, I used a thermal curtain between the two spaces, which was surprisingly effective and affordable. But I knew I wanted a permanent solution as soon as possible.
It’s my first winter with the new insulated roof so I’m yet to see how this has impacted my bills, but from a comfort perspective, it’s definitely been transformative. The whole ground floor of my house is so much warmer, and it’s now a usable space year round!
For more tips I swear by, check out my tricks for keeping your energy usage low when you have no choice but to use your tumble dryer.
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