Renting? 10 ways to reduce your energy consumption this winter

Although winter has us firmly in its icy grip, the energy price cap will rise on 1st January 2025. As a result, many of us will want to reduce how much fuel we use. For renters, the challenge can be greater as they don’t always have the means or money to make significant energy-saving alterations, such as installing cavity wall insulation, solar panels or air source heat pumps.

The good news is there are changes and swaps renters can make to knock hundreds of pounds off their fuels bills, reducing their carbon footprint at the same time. Although small, these following 10 energy saving measures can have a big cumulative effect:

1. Turn your thermostat down: while no one wants to shiver inside their home, turning your thermostat down by just one degree will hardly make any heat difference and may save you almost £100 a year.

2. Wash clothes at a lower temperature: stop washing your laundry at 60 or even 40 degrees and you’ll save money. Opt for a detergent designed to work with colder washes and set your cycles to 30 degrees – you’ll save around £12 annually.

3. Replace old-fashioned light bulbs: around 10% of electricity used goes on powering light bulbs, so it makes sense to have the most energy efficient fitted. As bulbs blow, replace them with LED versions and save up to £40 a year.

4. Be curtain smart: keeping your curtains closed in cold spells will trap warm air in a room and help prevent draughts. Do this and you’ll save almost 60 kg of carbon each year and reduce your energy bill by at least £20. Fit thermal curtains for an even greater saving.

5. Don’t block radiators: if you have spent money heating your radiators, you’ll want the warm air to circulate freely. Avoid placing anything in front of radiators that could block the flow of heat, including sofas, items of furniture and long curtains.

6. Turn off electricals at the switch: that little red dot on electrical appliances is costing you up to £45 every year! The standby mode does use power, as does the ‘phantom,’ energy drain when you leave charging cables plugged in.

7. Choose A-rated appliances: appliances are well labelled when it comes to the energy they consume so if you’re replacing a fridge, washing machine or other item, buy the best rated you can afford.

8. Adjust your boiler: combi boilers can usually be adjusted to reduce energy consumption. Look for the control/dial with the radiator icon and turn this down a little. This will slightly lower the temperature of the water in the radiators and save you up to £30 a year on your gas bill.

9. Turn off the tumble drier: drying wet washing inside can result in condensation and mould. Although tempting to rely on a tumble drier, a heated airer or dehumidifier with a laundry setting will dry clothes just as well and use less energy.

10. Be EPC smart when moving home: if your future plans involve moving to a new rental, pay attention to the property’s EPC rating – a piece of information that is compulsory for agents to display. The current legal minimum is an E rating, with A being the very best. By 2030, all rented homes will need an EPC of at least a C.

If you’d like to discuss the energy efficiency of a property you’re living in, or would like to request consent from your landlord to make significant energy saving changes to where you’re living, please get in touch.