The cold is creeping in, but that doesn’t mean you have to fork out a fortune for electricity this chilly season. It’s always a good idea to take the necessary steps to ensure that the welcome warmth in your home doesn’t go to waste.
Keep reading for tips and tricks on how to keep your home cosy on a budget this winter.
- The days are much shorter in winter, so you might need artificial light sources more often to get by. Be sure to switch off lights when leaving a room and replace all the bulbs in your home with energy efficient or LED versions.
- Rather than reaching for the heater every time you start to feel the freeze stock up on hot beverages and soups and dress for the weather and swipe your bsmart card at the grocery store to get some cash back while you’re at it. You might want to visit some of our 11 000 retailers to grab yourself and your loved ones some snuggly pj’s, slippers, extra blankets, and some hot water bottles.
*When replacing your blankets don’t just throw the old ones out! Donate them! Homeless and animal shelters need all the help they can to keep warm when the chill starts to creep in.
- When using a heater - only heat the room you are using and close all the doors and windows while in use. This will stop the heat (and your hard-earned rands) from escaping.
- When warming your bed with an electric blanket, switch it on an hour before bedtime and turn it off when getting into bed - your body heat will do the rest. And if you really want to cut back on costs you can share your bed with your pets - nature’s own little hot water bottles. We’re sure they’ll love you for it.
- If you can avoid it rather don’t use underfloor heating. Hot air rises and dissipates quickly. Do some research on the efficiency of the heating appliances you already have. It might be time to invest in a new method of heating.
- Switch off all appliances at the wall plug when not in use. You’d be surprised how much energy a device on standby mode can use.
- Use energy efficient appliances for cooking. It’s a good idea to shop around for a slow-cooker for hearty stews or consider replacing your conventional oven with an energy-efficient convection oven or an induction plate.
- Only boil the amount of water you need for the beverages you want to prepare. There’s no use in boiling water only to have it cool down and then having to boil it again when the family wants another cup of steamy hot chocolate.
- Don’t use hot water for washing vegetables, rinsing dishes or anything that doesn’t require hot water for that matter. Your geyser will work overtime all winter long and you’ll start to see the effect on your electricity bill soon enough.
- If you’re in the Western Cape, you’ve probably already forgotten what it’s like to have a bath. But it’s a good idea to stick to hot and short showers wherever you are this chilly season to cut back on water usage and electricity costs.
- Install ceiling insulation to stop the warmth in your home from escaping through the roof. Remember, heat rises!
- Having blinds and curtains in front of windows can improve your home’s insulation and stop the warmth of the crackling fire or heater from escaping. This not only saves on energy costs but picking the right drapery for your space can create a warm and cosy feel.
- Energy and water flow restricting taps and shower heads cuts back on the amount of water your geyser has to reheat. This is especially important if you have a few people living under the same roof.
- Cover your pool during the winter and any periods that it is not in use. This will not only cut back on water loss but also reduce the amount of time your pool pump has to run - because let’s face it, no one wants to brave the icy waters this time of year.
Follow the steps above and read our blog for more small changes that could mean big savings, life hacks that could save you time and money and tips on reducing your electricity bill and you’re on the fast track to saving big bucks!
At bsmart we help our members save, and pay out cash-back bonuses every three months or annually. To learn more about bsmart contact us or click here to sign up directly through our website.