Even if you’re mindful about your energy use, your home could still be losing energy in ways you don’t realise and increasing your bills without you noticing. From forgotten appliances to overlooked drafts, these hidden energy drains add up over time. The good news is most are quick and affordable to fix. Here are seven energy-wasting habits and how to stop them.
1. Leaving Appliances on Standby
TVs, consoles, and microwaves still use energy when not fully turned off. They could end up costing you up to £55 per year. Unplug these devices or alternatively use a smart power strip to cut off standby power.
2. Gaps Around Doors & Windows
Up to 30% of your home’s heat can escape through tiny gaps around doors and windows, leading to major energy waste and higher heating bills. To stop this silent heat loss, seal those gaps with draught excluders or weatherproofing strips. It’s a quick, low-cost fix that instantly boosts your home’s energy efficiency.
3. Old Light Bulbs
Using old halogen or incandescent bulbs can use up to five times more energy than LEDs, and burn out faster. Switching to LED bulbs is a simple upgrade that can slash your lighting costs by up to 80% and reduce energy waste instantly.
4. Blocked Radiators
Furniture and other obstructions in front of radiators stop heat circulating, increasing their energy consumption. To reduce any potential energy waste, move anything blocking the heat and let it warm the room more efficiently.
5. Unused Chimneys
Chimneys that are not in use lead to huge heat loss. This is because warm air rises and escapes through the chimney, while cold air enters the house down them, creating a draft and requiring more heating to maintain the temperature. A chimney balloon, draught stopper or even a permanent sealing method will help to retain warmth.
6. Leaky Loft Hatches
Uninsulated or poorly sealed loft hatches leak rising heat but can also let in cold air during the cooler months too! To increase the home energy efficiency the hatch will need to be sealed, insulated or replaced to keep the heat contained.
7. Overfilling the Kettle
Boiling more water than needed wastes electricity as it takes longer to heat up all the extra water you don’t end up using! Just boil the correct amount to not add to your bills as every little counts.
Next Steps
Making small, cost-effective changes like the ones above might seem minor, but together they can have a big impact by improving your home’s energy efficiency and helping you save on your energy bills throughout the year.
At Eclipse Energy, we’re here to support you on your energy-saving journey, whether it’s simple advice or major home upgrades. From small fixes to fully funded improvements we’re ready to help make your home its most energy efficient.
Contact us now to start improve your home energy efficiency.