Saving Energy in the Summer Holidays
When the children are home for the summer, the house often gets busier, louder and a little more expensive to run. The good news is that summer also brings easy opportunities to save. Longer daylight hours, warmer weather and more time together can make it easier for families to build simple habits that cut costs and become more conscious of the environment.
Making the most of these seasonal savings can also help you manage your energy costs more effectively throughout the year. By paying for your energy through a Direct Debit, you can spread your costs evenly across all twelve months. As energy use is typically lower in summer, you may build up credit on your account during the warmer months, which can then help offset the higher costs of winter usage. This can make budgeting easier, reduce seasonal bill shocks and help keep your account financially balanced all year round. To set-up a Direct Debit today get in touch with our mySycous team.
Be more Aware of your Water Usage
Over the Summer Holidays, your laundry may be piling up quicker than usual! This could lead to many small washing loads being created so ideally it is better to wait a little longer for full wash loads as this is more energy efficient. When you’re watering your plants, use a watering can instead of a hosepipe as this is a more controlled method and helps to use less water.
Change your Thermostat Settings
Be sure to adjust your thermostat as needed when it’s hot outside or you’re away from home for a few days. This could prevent overheating in your home as well as reducing wasted energy over the summer months.
Make the Most of Natural Light
Summer daylight is one of the easiest ways to save electricity. Open curtains and blinds in the morning and encourage the family to use the brightest rooms for reading or any other activities before switching on lights. A simple ‘lights off when you leave’ rule can help children to remember that every small action counts.
Use the Weather to Your Advantage
Summer is the perfect time to dry clothes outside or on an indoor airer instead of using the tumble dryer. School holiday wardrobes can mean extra washing from sports, day trips and messy play, so try to wait for full loads and choose lower temperature washes when suitable.
Get Children Involved
Children are much more likely to remember energy-saving habits if they feel part of the process. Set up simple routines such as checking lights before going out, turning devices fully off instead of leaving them on standby, or having a daily ‘screen-free hour’ with books, games or garden activities.
Keep an Eye on Your Consumption
Checking your consumption from time to time is important as this can help you see your usage patterns. It can also help you with budgeting and it gives you the option to add credit to your account if you see it’s low. To check your online account, you can use our mySycous App or you can log in via our website. It’s also important to check your consumption as you can spot issues quicker if there are any unusual patterns in your data.
You can also easily keep track of your energy usage anytime by checking your In-Home Display (IHD), if you have one inside your property. If you're experiencing any issues with your In-Home Display, please get in touch and we'll be happy to help. You can also learn more about using your device by viewing our Guru Hub, Secure Hub or Orbit PAYG System via the mySycous app user guides here.
These changes are easy to implement into your family’s lifestyle. Start with one or two of these changes, turn them into family habits, and by the end of summer you may see a difference in both your energy use and your household bills. If you’re struggling to pay your bills, please get in touch with us or visit our ‘Struggling to Pay’ section on our website to find our Payment Plan options.
