January isn’t all doom and gloom, but it is a time where people aim to save on costs and lower their spending. But, before you decide not to buy that pair of shoes or cut down on wine and cheese nights, you can start by saving money in your home!

We’ve found some simple and easy ways to cut costs around the house that are guaranteed to save you money both in January and all year round.

Fix It Yourself

There’s never a good time for your appliance to break down, but January is especially one of the worst! But that doesn’t mean you have to fork out for a brand new one…

• The problem can be much more common than you think and by fixing it yourself you could save hundreds on engineer call outs
• Check out our Advice Centre for common appliance faults and how to fix them
• Our handy How-to Videos provide a step by step guide and are extremely easy to follow

Save Energy

Although it sounds like hard work to cut down energy bills, it can actually be as simple as changing your light bulbs! With a few simple tricks, you can see a significant decline in your bills throughout the year.

• Switch to LED. Not only will they last longer, but they also require less electricity than traditional bulbs, saving you both time and money
• Switch off standby. Leaving your appliances, televisions or games consoles on standby can result in an additional £30 on your annual electricity bill
• Reduce heat. Washing clothes on a cold water setting will do the same job as the heated cycle but save on costs. An added bonus is that cold water can prevent colours from running
• Hang out to dry. Instead of using your tumble dryer every time, try a clothing rack. Although this method is easier in the summer months, lighter more delicate clothing will dry quickly and not be at risk of shrinking

Cleaning

We bet you didn’t know cleaning could save you money! Sticking to a regular cleaning routine with your appliances can save you from repair costs in the future. Here are some things to add to your list:

• With a little TLC, your appliances will thank you by standing the test of time. Regular cleaning keeps unpleasant odours at bay and reduces the risk of faults occurring
• Clean filters on your vacuum cleaner, tumble dryer, washing machine and dishwasher regularly to keep them in top performance
• Using your hoover, clear the foils at the back of your fridge and freezer so it doesn’t have to work as hard to reach its optimum temperature
• Don’t spend on expensive cleaners when you can make your own. Simple remedies such as baking soda and white vinegar can be great for removing stubborn dirt

Save Water

Stop splashing out on your water bills and be mindful of how much you are using. Just a few simple changes could save you plenty.

• A dripping tap may only seem like a small thing, but it could be costing you a considerable amount. Fix it as soon as possible to prevent rising water bills
• Swop your baths for a shower every now and again and save on your annual water bills. Also, try turning the water off while you apply shampoo or shower gel and save even more (not recommended in cold bathrooms!)
• Turning off the tap in-between brushing your teeth could save you a massive 6 litres of water per minute

Heat Your Home for Less

Saving on your heating bills doesn’t have to mean rationing your heat so your home feels like the Antarctic! With just a few simple changes, you can see your bills decrease in no time.

• Turning  your heating down by just 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%
• Turn off radiators in rooms that are not in use and keep doors closed
• Reduce water temperature to under 60°C to save costs and never scold yourself with the hot tap again!

Top tips

Here are some general tips which may help you cut costs and save energy around the home.

• Shop around. Consider switching energy suppliers and you could save a huge amount on your bills. Take a look at the advice on USwitch https://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/beta/home
• Save a penny, save a pound. Keep jars around the house for loose change and cash them in at the post office or local supermarket
• Don’t overcharge your devices! Many of us are guilty of leaving our gadgets to charge overnight. Try to unplug them once the battery is full and save a pile on your electricity bills

By making just a few small changes around your home, you can become a money-saving hero in no time! Leaving you with more cash to spend on things you love.

For more money saving tips check out which 5 appliances could be costing you the most in your home.

Tags: Household Appliances, Money Saving