2. Regular maintenance and adjustment of the boiler and radiators
It is vital to have the boiler and radiators checked every year to make sure the system is working properly and efficiently. It is also highly advisable, and not only for reasons of saving money, to set the boiler to lower temperatures. Is it really necessary to have a tropical climate at home?
3. Install thermostatic valves
Thermostatic valves fitted on radiators let you keep the temperature in each room under control and regulate the flow of hot water to each individual radiator.
4. Lower the thermostat temperature
Did you know that lowering the temperature at home by just 1 degree saves about 6% on your bill? Worth thinking about, isn’t it?
So what temperature should you keep your home at? 19 degrees is more than enough to guarantee the necessary comfort. Reducing the heating by one hour a day, and keeping it off for 15 days over the course of a year, cuts costs by around 180 euros for a medium-sized flat.
It is also good practice to avoid obstructing the spread of heat. Curtains, furniture or clothes airers in front of radiators hinder the spread of heat. Remember too that leaving windows open obviously causes considerable heat loss.
5. Install water flow regulators
Let’s also talk about domestic hot water. Flow regulators are very useful here: they moderate the jet of water from the taps, thereby optimising the work of the boiler, and of course they also reduce water consumption.
Shorten the length of your showers and lower their temperature. Can it be done? Yes! Cutting the time spent under the water from 7 minutes to 5, and lowering the temperature by 3 degrees, can save you up to 250 euros.
6. Measure the consumption of your appliances
A power meter, a device that costs a few tens of euros, lets you calculate the electricity consumption of all the devices and appliances you have at home. Once you have identified the most energy-hungry ones, you can replace them with much more “economical” class A or A+ models.
7. Replace traditional bulbs with LED ones
The sums are quickly done. An LED bulb is 75%-80% more efficient than a fluorescent one. It also lasts 15 to 20 times longer.
Assuming it will be on for an average of 6 hours a day, an LED bulb cuts your starting consumption by 15%.
8. Don’t leave appliances on stand-by
Appliances on stand-by (the little red light, to be clear) account for about 8% of your electricity bill.
It takes minimal effort to remember to switch off televisions, wi-fi routers and video game consoles completely, and to unplug unused chargers, given the savings you can make…
9. Optimise your washing machine and dishwasher
Washing machines and dishwashers, if run on a full load, with a low washing temperature and eco programmes, will help considerably to lighten your electricity bill.
Using the washing machine once every two days instead of once a day, and the dishwasher once a day instead of twice, saves 52 and 74 euros a year respectively.
10. Keep an eye on the fridge temperature
You can safely set the fridge temperature between 1.5°C and 3°C and the freezer at about -18°C: food will stay fresh and electricity consumption will be reduced.
