The price comparison website shared advice for homeowners looking to reduce their energy consumption
Winter is often expensive for UK households, as the cold weather drives up energy usage and bills. While it’s not usually possible to prevent the uptick in energy consumption, there are tips and tricks people can use to limit the energy they use.
From switching off the heating in empty rooms to installing reflector panels behind radiators, some tips are more well-known than others. However, one tip that might be lesser-known requires people to change one TV setting – and it only takes a few seconds.
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 tips were categorised by room and started with the living room. According to Uswitch, TVs are one of the largest energy-consuming appliances found in homes.
Uswitch advised that 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.
For similar reasons, 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. When using the TV, Uswitch recommends adjusting the settings to reduce the brightness. 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 new TVs offer power-saving settings to help reduce energy usage. These settings may include adjustable brightness features or sleep timers – in case you have a habit of falling asleep in front of the TV. This feature could be especially helpful for people who have a TV in their bedroom.
Elsewhere in the living room, laptops and computers can also consume a significant amount of energy. Thankfully, the devices often feature similar settings, such as a power-saving mode and sleep mode, to limit usage.
Once more, newer technology is usually the most cost-effective. Uswitch explains: “Newer models are more energy-efficient, than older models and monitors. If you have an older model it might be worth thinking about upgrading to something that’s newer and more energy-efficient.”