UK households can limit their energy consumption and save money on bills with the ‘easy’ change
Winter typically brings higher costs for British households, as colder temperatures lead to increased energy consumption and bills. Whilst it’s difficult to avoid this seasonal rise, there are various methods households can use to reduce their energy consumption.
Some energy-saving measures are widely recognised, such as turning off heating in unoccupied rooms or fitting reflector panels behind radiators. However, one less familiar suggestion involves adjusting a single TV setting – a change that takes seconds to implement. Uswitch shared the tip in a website post titled: “104 energy saving tips for your home”.
Introducing the list, the price comparison website said: “The latest energy saving statistics show that, on average, homes in England and Wales only have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of Band D, so we’ve put together over 100 energy-saving tips for your home. These tips can help significantly reduce your household energy usage and save on your energy bills.”
The recommendations were organised by room, beginning with the living room. According to Uswitch, one item commonly found there ranks among the most energy-intensive appliances: TVs.
Thankfully, buying a new TV and opting for a smaller screen size could help to reduce energy consumption. “When buying your new TV, look for the energy-saving trust recommended label so you can be sure you are buying a TV with optimised energy-saving features,” the site said.
Similarly, it’s worth switching off your TV when it’s not in use or turning the screen blank if you’re listening to the radio through your TV, as both steps help conserve energy. Uswitch also recommends adjusting the settings to reduce the brightness, reports the Mirror.
The ‘quick’ tip can help save money. The advice states: “When the TV’s on, turn down its brightness setting, as the factory settings are typically brighter than necessary for most homes. You should also switch on the ambient light sensor – if you’re viewing your TV in a darker room with the sensor switched on it can reduce power consumption by adjusting the contrast of the picture automatically.”
Most modern TVs come with power-saving settings to help cut down on energy usage. These features might include adjustable brightness options or sleep timers – useful if you tend to doze off while watching TV.
In other parts of the living room, laptops and computers can also use a significant amount of energy. Fortunately, these devices often come with similar settings, such as a power-saving mode and sleep mode, to limit usage.
Again, Uswitch says newer technology is generally more cost-effective. Uswitch adds: “Newer machines also switch on and power down fairly quickly, making it less tempting to just leave your computer on unnecessarily which, if it’s plugged in, will definitely waste energy. You’ll save simply by turning your laptop off when not in use.”