With the arrival of colder weather and the holidays, most of us are spending more time at home, which means a surge in electricity consumption. We’re sharing tips and suggestions on what you can do at home to spend this year’s holidays in a more environmentally and wallet-friendly way.
1. Invite friends over
It sounds quirky, but having a lot of people in the same room at the same time can really help your home heat – with just one person providing an average of 80W of heat. So keep your loved ones close, whatever the time of year, and you can cut heating costs.
2. Replace old Christmas lights
Nowadays, more and more people are replacing their household light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. Unfortunately, at Christmas time, we tend to seek out Christmas lights and outdoor lights that are years old and big electricity guzzlers.
If you plan to use Christmas lights, it’s worth investing in a light chain with LED bulbs. They are more energy efficient, more durable and last longer.
Don’t forget that Christmas lights for outdoor use must be marked with the appropriate weatherproof label! For more information on outdoor Christmas lights, click here.
3. Remove cords from the sockets
Whether you’re going on a plane trip, visiting grandparents or driving to the countryside, it’s a good idea to unplug all major electrical appliances when you leave the house to save energy and stay safe. TVs, computers, printers and many other electrical appliances draw power even when they are not switched on. This can add a considerable amount to your electricity bill.
Always unplug the cord from the wall socket, not the appliance itself. This simple action can save up to 10% on your annual electricity bill.
4. Cook smart at home
When cooking, bear in mind that all foods cook faster when the lid is on the pot. Always choose the right sized iron on the stove and use the oven only for larger dishes.
You can also turn the oven off 10-15 minutes before the food is ready. The food will be cooked because the residual heat in the oven will cook it further. As for reheating smaller foods, this can easily be done in a more energy-efficient microwave or hot air fryer.
In general, when using household appliances, wherever possible, economical and efficient modes of operation should be preferred. This will save electricity and prolong the life of your appliance, as a household appliance that is not running at full power will also wear out more slowly.
5. Give nature a present
If clean nature is important to you and you’re willing to do your bit to help preserve it, review your current electricity contract and choose green energy, which guarantees that you’re buying 100% renewable electricity.
The more green energy customers there are, the higher the share of renewable energy in electricity market will be and the less carbon dioxide will be emitted.
You can find out more about Enefit’s electricity packages here.
If you need advice on choosing a package or have any other questions, we are happy to help. To do so, contact us on 777 4040, email teenindus@enefit.ee or leave a request for a consultation on our website.
