January can be a tough month. The festive season has left its mark on your wallet, the weather’s cold, and those heating bills are starting to stack up. But Big Energy Saving Week is the perfect opportunity to take charge and lighten the load.
This week is all about making small, practical changes that can have a big impact on your energy bills. Whether it’s tackling draughts, dialling down unnecessary energy use, or finding more efficient ways to heat your home, there are plenty of ways to cut costs without cutting corners.
No matter if you’re new to energy-saving or have been on this journey for a while, now’s the time to take action. Let’s turn January into a month of savings and smart choices!
Step 1: Be Aware
Understanding and tracking your energy use is the first step to managing it. When you know where your energy is going, you’ll naturally start to cut back—this is called the feedback effect.
By paying attention to your energy habits, you’ll quickly spot opportunities to reduce waste - especially with the help of smart energy-saving tools like the free Loop app.
Whether it’s noticing lights left on in empty rooms, unplugging appliances on standby, or being mindful of heating usage, sharpening your energy awareness is transformative. Once you’ve tuned into your energy patterns, you’ll feel empowered to make smarter, more efficient choices that benefit your household all year long.
Wasted energy makes up 30% of the average energy bill - do something about it! Get more from your smart meter with Loop.
Step 2: Cut Down
Once you’re aware of how energy is being used in your home, it’s time to take action. A great place to start is tackling your ‘Phantom Load’—the name for the energy used by appliances left switched on or on standby in your home, adding to your energy bill without you necessarily knowing about it. Turning devices off at the plug ensures they’re not draining unnecessary energy.
Small changes make a big difference. Switch to energy-efficient lighting, like LED bulbs, and be mindful of using only what you need. Little tweaks add up to meaningful savings over time, helping you stay in control of your bills. On average, Loop users cut their energy use by 15%!
Step 3: Optimise Your Settings
Fine-tuning your home’s energy settings can make a huge difference without much effort.
- Use Eco Mode: Many appliances, like dishwashers and washing machines, have eco modes designed to use less energy and water. It might take a little longer, but the savings are worth it.
- Lower Your Boiler’s Flow Temperature: Adjusting your boiler’s flow temperature (the temperature of the water circulating in your radiators) to 60°C can help your heating system run more efficiently while still keeping your home warm.
- Heating Schedules: Set your thermostat to match your daily routine. Heating your home only when you need it ensures you’re not wasting energy during empty hours.
These small tweaks are easy to implement and make your home much more efficient to run. It’s all about adopting energy-saving habits that will soon become second nature!
@loop.homes Have you tried this simple hack yet? 🌡️ If you have a combi boiler, lowering the flow temperature is an easy way to cut your gas bill by 10%! Your boiler settings affect how efficiently your house heats up and if the temperature is set too high, you’ll be needlessly spending on your bill. This is a great tip to make savings without compromising your comfort, as this simple setting change does not affect the temperature of your home! 🏡 #hometips #home #homehacks #boiler #plumbing #warm #keepwarm ♬ original sound - Loop - Making Energy Easy
Step 4: Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to keep your home warm and reduce energy use.
- Draught-Proofing: Seal gaps around windows, doors, letterboxes, and floors to stop heat from escaping. Even simple DIY draught excluders can make a big difference.
- Loft Insulation: Check your loft insulation to ensure it meets the recommended 27cm thickness. Topping it up is an easy way to keep the heat where it belongs—inside your home.
- Wall Insulation: Homes with solid walls can benefit hugely from proper insulation, helping you stay snug and save energy in the long run.
By keeping the heat in and the cold out, insulation turns your home into a cosy haven, no matter how cold it gets outside.
Which Energy-Saving Expert Are You?
- Novice: Looking for quick wins? Check out our guide on low-effort, high-reward actions.
- Getting Started: Ready to level up? Try our appliance efficiency guide to uncover more ways to save.
- Pro: Thinking big? Explore options like home insulation, solar panels, or even a smart energy tariff in our big energy savers guide.
@loop.homes Do you dilligently use eco mode? If not, here’s why you should 🌱🍽️🧺 #cleaning #cleantok #cleaningtiktok #cleaninghacks #cleaningmotivation #sustainability #sustainable #sustainableliving #sustainabilitytiktok #eco #ecofriendly #energy #home #cleaning ♬ MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) - Tommy Richman
Big Energy Saving Week is the perfect opportunity to take control of your energy use. Start small, make changes that work for you, and watch the savings roll in!
Cut your energy bill with Loop
Loop is a FREE energy-saving app that links to your smart meter, analyses your energy use and shows you easy ways to save. On average, Loop users cut their electricity use by 16% and their gas use by 10%! How much could you save?
