Unlock your smart meter data with the FREE Loop app to find out
Are your things costing more to run than you realise? Get a heads-up BEFORE your energy bills arrive with Loop.
Loop is a free energy-saving app that analyses your smart meter data and shows you easy ways to use less. On average, Loop users cut their electricity bill by 16% and their gas by 10% – that’s a £300 saving!
Track your energy usage and costs back over hours, days, weeks, months, and years. See where to make energy-saving changes and find out how you compare to other households.
Cost: LEDs use 90% less energy than halogen or incandescent lightbulbs.
Tip: Lighting makes up 11% of the average household electricity bill, so it pays to make the switch even if your traditional bulbs still work. You can save £15 per bulb swapped!
Cost: Running costs range from £45 to over £248 a year.
Tip: In warmer weather, benefit from the natural warmth of the sun by swapping your energy-hungry tumble dryer for the clothesline. If you need to use it, try adding a dry tea towel to the wet load. It seems counter-intuitive, but tests have found it reduces drying time considerably, by up to half an hour for a full load.
Cost: A 483w dehumidifier costs nearly £20 per month or £240 a year if used for 4 hours per day.
Tip: Dry clothes outside where possible. If this isn’t an option, dry them in a closed space with a window slightly open. This will avoid moisture from building up elsewhere in your property. The same applies to closing bathroom and kitchen doors whilst in use.
Cost: Washing machines cost on average £76 per year to run.
Tip: Choose an A-rated machine over a D-rated one to save around £12 a year. Wash full loads at low temperatures to maximise your savings – using 30 degrees instead of higher temperatures uses 40% less energy!
Cost: Running your dishwasher makes up around 8% of your electricity bill. On average, it will be costing you £94 per year.
Tip: A-rated dishwashers save about £45 per year compared to lower-rated models of the same size and use less water. To use them efficiently, make sure to use them on eco mode and to only run on a full load.
Cost: On average, a fridge freezer costs £98 per year.
Tip: Choosing an A-rated unit over an F-rated one can save you about £47 a year. Remember, a smaller fridge may use less energy than a larger one with the same rating. Look for the yearly energy consumption in kWh/annum on the label to compare appliances.
To use them efficiently, try keeping your fridge and freezer full. This will help them to retain the cold better, and they won’t have to work as hard. If you don’t have enough food, you can always add containers of water. Make sure your fridge is set at the right temperature of 5 degrees Celsius or less, and check there is a gap of around 10cm behind your fridge to let the heat from the radiator on the rear escape more easily.
Cost: An inflatable hot tub could be racking up an extra £360 a month on your energy bill. That amounts to £1,440 in four months over the summer!
Tip: Think about where you position your hot tub. Keeping it away from wind and breezes, which would cool the water, will help maintain a warmer temperature. You can also cover the hot tub with a thermal cover when not in use to keep the heat in.
Cost: Televisions account for about 33% of the average home’s consumer electronics – alongside TVs, consumer electronics also include the likes of games consoles and laptops.
Tip: When you’ve finished watching, turn it off at the plug instead of leaving it on standby. TVs are among a group of household appliances that are regularly left on when they don’t need to be. Whilst this might only cost just over £2 a year, a digital TV box left on could add £44 to your annual bill and faulty set-top boxes could be adding as much as £179!
Cost: The majority of us boil more water in our kettles than we need to. Overfilling could be adding around £13 a year to your electricity bill.
Tip: Choose a kettle that switches off immediately after boiling and has a low minimum fill level. This means you’ll only boil the water you need, which can use up to 20% less energy.
Cost: On average, an electric oven costs £77 a year to run.
Tip: Choose A+++ rated gas and electric ovens for maximum efficiency. Remember, the pyrolytic function for cleaning can increase running costs as it’s energy-intensive. Check the energy label on both electric and gas ovens to make the most efficient choice.
Bigger savings: If you have an air fryer, use it over your oven. You can halve your cooking costs as it requires less energy to reach its maximum temperature.
“I began using this app at the start of the energy crisis and it was a really valuable tool to help manage my household energy use. It’s a doddle to set up and the app is very easy to use, with clear charts and tips on saving energy.” – Ross, Loop user
