Saving money isn’t only about spending less – sometimes it’s about spending a little on the right thing. Here are some simple, inexpensive buys for the home that can help cut your energy bills, reduce waste and generally make your money go further.
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Keep the heat in
1. Draught excluders
A surprising amount of heat sneaks out under doors and around windows. Door draught excluders, self-adhesive window seals and letterbox brushes are cheap, quick to fit and make a room feel warmer straight away.
Browse draught excluders on Amazon
2. Radiator reflector foil
Fitted behind radiators on outside walls, reflector foil bounces heat back into the room instead of warming the bricks. A roll costs very little and takes an afternoon to fit.
Browse radiator reflector foil on Amazon
3. Thermal or blackout curtains
Heavy lined curtains act like an extra layer of insulation for your windows. Close them as soon as it gets dark and you’ll notice the difference.
Browse thermal or blackout curtains on Amazon
Cut the electricity bill
4. Smart plugs and timer plugs
Timer and smart plugs switch things off when you’re not using them – no more TVs and consoles quietly sipping electricity on standby all night. Some smart plugs also show how much energy each appliance uses, which is an eye-opener.
Browse smart plugs and timer plugs on Amazon
5. LED light bulbs
If you still have old halogen or incandescent bulbs, swapping them for LEDs is one of the easiest energy savings there is. LED bulbs use a fraction of the electricity and last for years.
Browse led light bulbs on Amazon
Cheaper cooking and laundry
6. A slow cooker
Slow cookers use relatively little power and turn cheap cuts of meat, lentils and veg into proper meals. Throw it all in before work and come home to dinner – handy for batch cooking too.
Browse a slow cooker on Amazon
7. An air fryer
For smaller portions, an air fryer heats up quickly and can be cheaper to run than heating a whole oven. It’s best for one or two people; for big family meals the oven may still win.
8. A heated clothes airer
A heated airer uses far less electricity than a tumble dryer and dries washing indoors in winter. Pop a cover over it to speed things up.
Browse a heated clothes airer on Amazon
Small swaps that add up
9. Rechargeable batteries and a charger
If your house gets through batteries at the rate of ours (TV remotes, toys, torches, the ever-hungry wireless mouse), rechargeables pay for themselves quickly.
Browse rechargeable batteries and a charger on Amazon
10. A reusable water bottle and coffee cup
Buying bottled water and takeaway coffees adds up alarmingly over a year. A decent bottle and a travel mug make it easy to bring your own.
Browse a reusable water bottle and coffee cup on Amazon
11. Food storage containers
Good airtight containers make leftovers and batch cooking much easier, which means less food in the bin and fewer “I can’t be bothered, let’s get a takeaway” evenings.
Browse food storage containers on Amazon
12. A hot water cylinder jacket
If you have a hot water tank without a proper insulating jacket, fitting one is cheap and stops you paying to heat the airing cupboard.
Browse a hot water cylinder jacket on Amazon
Before you buy
- Buy what you’ll actually use. A gadget gathering dust in the cupboard isn’t a saving.
- Read the reviews and check the price history – the most expensive option isn’t always the best.
- Check your energy supplier and council first – some offer free or discounted energy-saving help.
For more ideas, see our 10 ways to cut your household bills.
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