Here at Argos Support, we are always looking for ways to help with your products. This year we have looked at energy saving advice in the home to help cut down energy bills, as well as making a positive difference to the environment. As we are in the colder months looking to save energy, we have put all our 2023 energy saving blog posts in one handy place so you can start making a difference in your home.
Save energy on your laundry cleaning
How turning down to 30 degrees can save energy on your washing machine
The temperature on a washing machine can consume a lot of energy as the appliance uses more energy to heat to higher temperatures. An easy way to combat this is by lowering the temperature. We recommend dropping to 30 degrees which can save around 40% of energy used each year.
Washing Machines: What is an Eco-Cycle?
So, we know reducing the temperature of a washing machine cycle can reduce energy usage, but did you know your machine might have a programme dedicated to this? An ‘Eco-Cycle’ is a programme that some appliances have which run at a lower temperature, using colder water, but having a longer spin time. This reduces the cost of heating the appliance, but also spins longer to extract the water to reduce the drying time.
The Hidden Costs of Phantom Loads
Have you ever heard of phantom loads? They’re a real problem that can significantly impact your energy build. Phantom loads, or standby power, are the small amounts of electricity your appliance draws when not turned on. This usually happens when the appliance is on standby mode when plugged in. To tackle this, you can unplug devices when not in use, switch to an energy efficient device, and adjust any device settings to use low power modes.
Reducing the costs of drying clothes
Drying clothes in your tumble dryer can be expensive during the colder months. To avoid using your tumble dryers extensively, consider using a dehumidifier or a heated clothes area to dry your clothes indoors. This will quickly cut the running costs of your tumble dryer. Of course, this isn’t to say not to use your tumble dryer as they can be beneficial for quicker trying and convenience. We recommend a mix of appliances, so you have the choices to make your own decision about the energy you use.
Reduce the energy used in the kitchen
Cooking Smarter: Low-energy methods to save money
The modern kitchen is full of tech, and with us using our kitchens daily it is inevitable that the kitchen can be a source of high energy usage. But not to fear, you can change cooking methods and appliances to cut your energy bill.
When using a deep fat fryer, take full control over the temperature by preheating first to the correct temperature and then frying. This can reduce the cooking time, making it quick and effective.
Air fryers are a game changer with quicker cooking times resulting in lower running costs.
If you are using an oven, utilise batch cooking and convection settings.
Another appliance to save money is the microwave as it provides quick cooking compared to other appliances. Of course, not everything can be cooked in a microwave, but they are great for reheating leftovers. This means less energy used re-heating and less impact on the environment from potential food waste.
Green Kettle Habits: Effortless Energy-saving
If you’re a tea drinker, you’re probably aware of how many times you put the kettle on boil every day. Kettles can be quite costly over time as the energy use adds up. To reduce this, there are some simple habits you can adopt.
You can measure the water, so you only use the water you need which saves water and also means a shorter boil time as there is less to boil. If your kettle has temperature settings, use these to your advantage by adjusting where appropriate. Another factor in energy-saving is maintenance; regularly descale your kettle to keep it lasting long and making each boil efficient. If there is a build-up of limescale, this can cover the heating components, meaning the boiling process takes longer.
Create energy-saving techniques with smart tech
Should you invest in a smart thermostat?
You may be familiar with smart thermostats; these devices are smart technology that can control your home’s heating and cooling systems and can be accessed via a smartphone, app, voice commands, or a web portal. These allow you to have full control on the go and monitor your energy usage. This means you can adjust if necessary to cut your energy usage.
Smart plugs: Cut energy costs through the night
The concept of smart plugs can be scary to some, but it is nothing to fear. The plugs pair with another master device which means the plug can be turned off and on with the device. This control is done via an app specific to the smart plug. If you’re in bed and unsure if the devices are switched off, simply open the app and look at any active plugs and switch them down. With the scheduling function on some smart plugs, you could set an evening routine to switch off all devices when you go to bed, and then turn back on in the morning when you will be using them again.
