Research shows that the energy that you use at home is more likely to increase when you have a baby, a fact which is unsurprising when you consider the extra amount of laundry that you need to do, ensuring that the temperature in your home is right for your child and simply using more energy thanks to being at home a lot more often when on maternity leave. We’ve put together a list of five top tips to help you save money on your energy bills when you become a parent.
Switch Your Energy Supplier
Thanks to the fact that energy suppliers don’t tie you in to a fixed term contract, it’s possible to switch suppliers without a fee every time you find a cheaper deal. However, you’d be surprised at the amount of people, including parents, who stick with the same supplier even though they could be getting a better deal elsewhere and saving money. To find the best Texas energy rates, use a comparison website.
Use Eco-Friendly Appliances
Investing in an eco-friendly washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher might come at an expensive price initially, however if you can afford to do so it is a great way of keeping your energy costs down in the long run. Eco-friendly appliances are designed to use as little energy as possible, and with the increased amount of laundry you’ll be doing since having a baby, you’ll find this is a great way to slash your bills.
Perform an Energy Audit
You can perform an energy audit of your home by yourself, or contact your energy supplier who may be able to send a professional to do it for you. Conducting an energy audit involves looking for anything in your home that could be causing unnecessary energy use. This could be gaps on windows and doors which cause heat to escape, or issues with insulation.
Use Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
If you’re home at lot with your new baby, you’ll probably find that you’ll need to keep lights switched on a lot more than you had to previously. Lighting your home uses up a significant amount of energy, and although you can save energy by making sure that you turn off the light each time you leave a room, switching to energy saving light bulbs can result in significant reductions when it comes to your electricity bills.
Get an Energy Monitor
Investing in an energy monitor is a great way to help you save money on your gas and electricity costs as a new parent. An energy monitor will be able to show you where you are using the most energy, meaning that you’ll know exactly where you can cut down on energy use in order to make some savings on your bills. Monitors can be bought at relatively inexpensive prices; however, you might want to check with your energy provider – as some will issue them free of charge.
If you’re a parent, how do you keep your energy usage to a minimum?