Winter is already around the corner, summer has passed, and now it is time for another peak in energy consumption. If in summer the peak could be air conditioning, in winter it is the heater or something that makes the house warm.
In reality, throughout the year there are energy peaks that can be minimized through restructuring your energy contract and also through savings in your home as well as changing habits. Collectively, all these factors bring changes to the final price of your bill, which can have an impact on the family budget, especially in large families.
With this in mind, we took the liberty of creating a simple, yet effective, text about financial improvements with restructuring habits and energy suppliers, which will surely please you considering the approach of the colder season.
Stay up to date with our practical suggestions:
First of all: put an end to the “draft”
Here the word draft refers not necessarily to the wind itself, but to anything that can withdraw heat from the home. It includes poorly closed windows, the front door with a gap at the bottom, and any other situation that removes heat from our dwelling.
This is because the warmth of people and the warmth of the house itself can make it warmer, without spending a single cent
Double-glazed windows whenever possible
There was a program to replace windows with double glazing, which is now in effect only for people in need. However, replacing a window with double-glazed windows, even if paid for by you, has numerous advantages. This is because it is a product that lasts for decades, and also because it helps retain heat, creating greater autonomy in terms of the need to turn on heaters or air conditioning.
Furthermore, and if you intend to change the windows, you can consult the Environmental Fund programs or speak with your parish council, or city hall, as there may be local supports.
Change of electricity supplier
Companies such as EDP, Endesa, Su Energia and Galp always sell the same product: electricity. Therefore, a more attentive person may rightly ask, if they all sell the same service, what is the difference?
The difference is not in the energy plans, but in the price. With increasing competition among operators, both in the regulated market and in the liberalized market, it is normal that there are more cheap plans at your disposal. And switching electricity provider is easier than you might imagine.
If you want a list of plans today for you, in which you can switch easily and at any moment, without interruptions in supply, sites like the planosluzgas can show you saving tips and cheap energy plans.
Review the contracted power
Sometimes the contracted electricity power is too high. For most homes, a power of 4.6 KVA is ideal, and if you have more than that, we suggest you reduce it. On the other hand, although 3.45 KVA may seem small, there are homes that can benefit from this power with small tricks such as not turning on several devices at the same time (like washing machine and dishwasher).
But if you really want to be sure, the site of E-redes allows you to know the average and maximum monthly power, and lets you know how far you have reached in terms of KVA, allowing you to decide whether it is worth the swap.
Use blankets and warm clothing
It may seem like an obvious tip, but it is not always put into practice. By bundling up, you are avoiding the cold by natural means that do not take money out of your electricity bill.
In other words, a coat can be the difference between turning on a heater or not, and, in turn, makes a difference at the end of the month. In the same way, when sleeping, you should opt for flannel sheets and thick blankets or duvets.
But, if you really have to use the heater or air conditioning…
There comes a point where there are no more practical tips. You have already optimized everything you can, you have bundled up, and what remains is really a final, more essential touch: staying warm and comfortable.
In that case, the main point is not to avoid heating, but to use it intelligently. With a few strategies, you can maintain comfort without making the electricity bill soar.
If you have air conditioning, use it. It is, without a doubt, the most efficient because it does not create heat; it transfers heat from the outside to the inside of your home. But, if you do not have it, the most used and recommended are oil heaters, because although they take longer to heat, they retain the heat longer, even when they are turned off.
If you have a thermostat, always check that your home is between 19°C and 21°C. These are considered comfortable temperatures.
Now with all these tips, even if you use an “extra” to heat, it will be cheaper than before reading this article.
