The cost of energy continues to increase, and this is responsible for many of the surges in inflation seen globally. Hence one of the greatest challenge consumers face today amid the cost-of-living crisis is cutting their energy bills in a way that will not tense the already overstretched family budget.
Energy expert Myles Robinson from Boiler Central shares with Digital Journal the cheapest and easiest ways to save on the upcoming soaring energy bills for the summer (for those in the northern hemisphere, that is).
According to Robinson: “Luckily, summer is upon us and this is the perfect time to make the switch to more energy-efficient appliances, before they start guzzling even more gas or electricity. There are also some other green, cheap and – importantly – suitable alternatives, such as hydrogen-ready combi boilers. If your budget can stretch a little further, opt for a hybrid heating system with solar panels, as heat pumps are far too expensive, even with the new grant scheme from the government.”
Robinson’s tips are written from the UK perspective. However, the advice is applicable to many countries and to many homes.
To help readers, Robinson provides the following advice:
Cheapest & fastest: switch to A-rated appliances
The most energy-consuming item in a household is the boiler. A G-rated boiler, for example, is only 60-70 percent efficient, meaning up to 40% of the energy is wasted. That is a huge amount reflecting on your bill, especially with the new energy tariffs. Switching from a G-rated boiler to an A-rated one can save households at least £580 ($650) a year.
Boilers are followed by fridge/freezers, accounting for more than half the consumption of boilers. Dishwashers, ovens and washing machines are next in line in terms of energy use. These are the five appliances worth considering for an upgrade to an A EPC rating. With many finance options in place, making the switch now becomes realistic and affordable, not to mention much better for the environment.
Future-proof: opt for hydrogen-ready combi boilers
If you are planning on upgrading your boiler, we strongly advice opting for a hydrogen-ready combi one, which is, hands-down, the cheapest green alternative to a conventional boiler. Most newer models are manufactured to be hydrogen-ready up to 20% so that, once there is a switch in fuel source in the UK, they can be modified to run on 100% hydrogen.
Interestingly, over the past two years, several gas supply trials have been carried out in closed communities, which concluded that adding up to 20% hydrogen into the public gas supply would essentially have no effect on how people use their current gas appliances, such as cookers and boilers.
Pro upgrade: forget heat pumps – add solar panels instead
As of last month, residents of England and Wales can apply for grants worth up to £6,000 ($9000) to help with switching to greener heating alternatives under the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). However, there is widespread criticism from energy experts on the programme’s viability, which they argue is neither technically, nor financially suitable for most UK homes.
