By Robin Peters, Co-Founder and CEO of Snugg
Energy bills have been a growing concern for households in recent years. Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 13% earlier this month. For a lot of households, that’s another reason to look at how their home uses energy, and whether there’s a smarter way to do it.
The direction of travel is clear: electrification. That means moving homes away from gas heating towards electricity, while using smarter tariffs and technology to help keep costs down, even when factoring in the cost of installation.
Looking for a quick win? Here’s something easy and free
Before installing anything, it’s worth checking you’re paying the right price for the energy you already use. If you have a smart meter, a time-of-use tariff could help you shift things like charging an EV, running appliances or heating water to cheaper periods.
It’s a simple change, and any savings can go towards your next home improvement when you’re ready.
Take the next step and start generating your own electricity
Once your tariff’s working for you, it’s worth looking at generating and storing your own electricity. Solar panels can reduce how much energy you need to buy from the grid, and a home battery can store excess solar power, or cheaper electricity, for when you need it.
Together, they can help lower your bills and give you a bit more control, whatever happens to prices in future.
Thinking further ahead
Heat pumps are likely to play a major role in the electrified home. An air source heat pump (ASHP) can replace a gas boiler, but preparing your home properly matters. Simple things like improving insulation and understanding your home’s energy needs now can make the switch smoother when the time comes.
And when you are ready, there are grants available right now to help with the cost of low carbon heating. Even so, it’s still a good idea to keep some money to one side in preparation.
We built Snugg because we didn’t think anyone should have to figure this out alone or become an energy expert to make good decisions about their home. Tell us a bit about your house and we’ll put together a personalised plan, including the grants and funding options available. There’s no pressure to act on all of it at once, or at all.
Even one small step can be a step towards savings on your energy bills.
