Fina's House

Ideas to Save on Electricity and Water Bills

Lowering your household bills doesn't require major renovations or impossible sacrifices. Here are practical tips backed by official organizations to spend less on electricity and water.

Review Your Contracts and Contracted Power

One of the most common mistakes in homes is paying for electrical power that isn't used daily. Adjusting this fixed term is key to avoiding unnecessary extra costs on your bill.

Furthermore, the energy market is constantly changing, so it's wise to take time to study what different suppliers offer us.

• Reducing contracted power by just one kilowatt can mean an approximate saving of about 40 euros per year.
• The OCU recommends reviewing and comparing electricity and gas tariffs every few months.
• Changing companies or tariff plans can generate savings of up to 500 euros per year.

Efficient Use of Appliances

Large appliances account for a very significant portion of energy and water consumption in the home. Knowing how to use them effectively makes a difference at the end of the month.

Small actions like choosing the right program or considering the refrigerator's location help them run without straining the motor.

• The IDAE points out the importance of consulting the instruction manual to understand the water and energy consumption of each program in washing machines and dishwashers.
• Quick programs on dishwashers can provide substantial water savings, while half-load washes use practically the same amount of water as full loads.
• The OCU advises using ECO programs and low temperatures, reminding us that washing machines and dishwashers consume considerably more at 60 degrees than at 40 degrees.
• Placing the refrigerator away from the oven or sunny windows and keeping it clean and ventilated at the back prevents overexertion that increases consumption.

Beware of Standby Mode and Climate Control

Leaving devices in standby mode is an invisible habit that increases the electricity bill without us realizing it. Fortunately, it's very easy to fix.

Regarding heating and air conditioning, properly regulating thermostats prevents very noticeable energy waste throughout the year.

• Unplugging devices in standby mode or using power strips with switches can reduce energy consumption by up to 10 percent, which translates to over 50 euros in annual savings for an average household.
• The IDAE indicates that a temperature of 21 degrees in winter, with appropriate clothing, is sufficient to maintain comfort in a home.
• Installing thermostatic valves on radiators or programmable thermostats can save between 8 percent and 13 percent of energy.
• Lowering the thermostat to 15 degrees if you are away for a few hours or bleeding the radiators once a year at the beginning of the season are highly recommended measures.
• The OCU highlights that maintaining the heating at 21 degrees instead of 24 degrees cuts energy consumption by 20 percent.
• In summer, it is recommended not to set the air conditioning below 23 or 25 degrees, as each degree lower increases consumption by around 7 percent.

Tips for Saving Water and Hot Water

Water is a limited resource, and its consumption is directly linked to the energy cost required to heat it in domestic systems.

Controlling daily habits and ensuring good insulation for storage systems allows us to use much less.

• The IDAE recommends not leaving taps running unnecessarily during daily routines like shaving or brushing teeth.
• For showering, the IDAE notes that a water temperature of 40 degrees is sufficient.
• Hot water storage systems are more efficient than instantaneous systems without storage, and it is essential that both tanks and pipes are properly insulated.
• Electric water heaters should only be connected when necessary using a timer.

Available Aid: Social Bonuses for Electricity and Water

There are protective mechanisms for the most vulnerable households that significantly reduce the fixed costs of basic utilities.

Knowing these options and checking if you meet the requirements is a fundamental step to alleviate family finances.

• The electricity social bonus offers regulated discounts that can provide savings of between 150 and 230 euros per year.
• Beneficiaries of the social bonus who keep it active on December 31st receive the thermal bonus during the first quarter of the year, an annual aid of between 25 and 124 euros depending on the climate zone.
• Numerous municipalities offer special tariffs or water bonuses for specific groups, such as low-income households, the elderly, or large families.

«Oh, dear, with how expensive things have gotten, any of these tricks that save us a few euros on the bill always comes in handy for the stew.»

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