The economy is not in the best of shape right now. Greece is in its worst economic crisis in history, whilst the rest of us are struggling with national debt on a massive scale. It’s a difficult, expensive world out there, which is probably why many people are staying home, trying to save as much as possible. This ranges from large expenditures such as reducing trips abroad to small things like lowering the amounts of takeout each week. Here are some tips which can save you a little time, energy and even a few pennies at home:

Lower the thermostat.

It is one of the simplest and most oft-advised things to do in the home when it comes to saving money. But there’s a reason it’s always mentioned. It actually works.  Heating and cooling take up to half the energy use in the average home. By reducing the heat by 1 degree over 8 hours, you’ll save around 1% on the bill. Gradually dropping the temperature a degree a week gets you used to the drop and even if you can only go a couple of degrees lower, then that will save money in the long run.

Washing Machine Efficiency

It’s an appliance we use multiple times a week. It uses a lot of water and energy each time, so it’s a no-brainer that buying the most efficient machine is important. All models come with an energy rating. From the UK to New Zealand, these labels inform us of just how effective the machine is when it comes to energy use. In Europe, ‘A’ is the standard, but it is possible to have ‘A+’ and higher. Each ‘+’ represents a 10% increase in efficiency, so looking at A+++ (the highest you can go) models mean you’re making the maximum saving in energy use.

Invest in a Dishwasher

Speaking of appliances, many people consider the dishwasher to be an unnecessary luxury item. However, they are one of the best things you can invest in when it comes to saving money in the home. Hand washing uses on average 40-60 litres of water per clean. A dishwasher will only use 10-20 litres per cycle. Over the long term, that is a massive saving on your water utility bill. Also, because they do the work for you, it leaves you time to do other things. Which is always a bonus.

Cavity insulation

Installing cavity insulation will ensure you retain a lot more heat within the home. Annually, you are looking at around £135.00 in heating bill savings by having the walls insulated. Although many countries will charge for installation, some governments will offer a subsidy to offset the initial cost. For example, in the UK, many utility companies offer a free engineer visit to survey your home to check requirements. If you fulfil these requirements, cavity insulation can be provided absolutely free of charge.

Induction Cooking

Induction cooking stoves/hobs are not a fad. Soon, they are going to change the way we cook. Amazing because they saves you everything; time, energy and money. Induction works by generating a magnetic field which reacts with the metal of your cooking pan. The whole pan itself becomes the heating element, and not the hob. Therefore, cook times are a lot faster. A pint of water can be heated in only a minute and a half, compared to 3 minutes with traditional gas. Induction is also a lot more efficient than gas when it comes to energy usage. On average, induction is around 80%-85% more efficient. This means less money spent on the utilities bill over the long term.

By trimming the fat here and there around the home, the combination of these tips (amongst others) will see a significant reduction in costs of running.

Amy Boffington is a writer for Appliances Online.

{Images via eeca.govt.nz, estatekitchens.net Appliances Online}