We’re all feeling the pinch of rising energy prices. Last year, the average U.K. household spent £760 on electricity in 2021, up from £450 in 2020. And while crude oil prices have remained relatively stable over the past few months, experts say we can expect to see rising energy prices continue to rise in 2023 as logistical issues seem likely to continue. 

So, what can we do to combat these rising energy prices? In this blog post, we have identified three key areas you can target to reduce your energy bill; reducing your energy consumption, using more cost-effective appliances and lighting systems, and utilising renewable technologies. 

If we want to combat rising energy prices, one of the most important things we can do is reduce our energy consumption; we can do this in several ways, whether in the home or at our business.

In our homes, we can make simple changes like turning appliances and lights off when not in use. Many homes today are reaping the benefits of intelligent energy systems, allowing them to monitor their energy consumption while also visualising what their appliances cost.In your business, there is a multitude of steps that you can undertake. One of the easiest things to do on the individual level is to promote carpooling; we have all seen a sharp rise in fuel for vehicles, so by sharing this burden, not only will costs be cut, but there will be an environmental benefit too

In terms of the workplace, you can tell employees to ensure small appliances are not in use when they aren’t needed; this could include but isn’t limited to fans and air-con units. Finally, machines can be turned off during breaks or when not in use if this is cost-effective. By reducing energy consumption, we can help combat rising energy prices and simultaneously protect our environment most cost-effectively; without even utilising renewable technologies.

The benefit of using efficient appliances is that it not only helps you reduce your carbon footprint but also saves you money and relieves the burden on the National Grid. Efficient washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, and shower systems are double-faceted; they are cost-effective for both your energy and water bills.

Many appliances have extra features that will add to their energy cycle, such as the self-clean cycle on ovens or the defrost setting on refrigerators. It may be better to manually use these features when needed, reducing your energy consumption.

One of the simplest things you can do around the home is to replace old incandescent bulbs with far more efficient LEDs. In some cases, this can reduce individuals’ energy bills by close to 40% and can last up to 25 times longer than the bulbs they will be replacing. Taking this further, you could install dimmer switches, reducing the bulb’s energy output at a given time. 

Finally, make use of natural light. With such a powerful light source available to us for around half the day, it seems wasteful to shut it out only to artificially illuminate our homes.  

It is a free renewable energy source and ultimately cost-effective! 

We can utilise several renewable technologies to combat rising energy prices. Wind turbines are effective at generating green electricity. Once completed, these projects are carbon neutral. The only downfall, however, is the relatively large start-up costs and finding a good site. 

Hydroelectric power is another renewable technology that we can utilise, generating energy by using the flow of water to turn turbines, which generate electricity. It is a clean and renewable energy source that does not produce emissions. This form of energy is location specific, but it does create a relatively constant stream of power. 

Solar power is also a key player in renewable technologies, a clean and renewable rising energy prices source with no emissions once fitted and working. Many may not see the benefit of such a technology in the U.K., but the U.K. can use solar power. Many areas of the U.K. receive similar levels of sunlight to regions of France and Spain. 

Hopefully, this blog has highlighted a few cost-effective ways to approach rising energy prices, even if that is as simple as reducing your energy consumption. There are plenty of complimentary methods, all the way up to the more expensive implementation of renewable technologies. However, these will almost guarantee a far more significant saving over time.