As the winter months approach, keeping energy costs down becomes a priority for both renters & homeowners. Martin Desmond, Managing Director at Cork-based Wizer Energy has shared some key insights and practical tips that residents can apply to lower their energy bills as temperatures dip.
Renters – What Can You Do?
Renters often feel limited in how much they can influence their energy bills, particularly in older buildings. However, there are several small but effective changes renters can make to lower energy usage and in turn, their bills.
“There are a lot of people renting in this country and they may be living in older, more energy-inefficient buildings which mean things can be pretty precarious as the temperatures drop and the days become shorter, the good news is there are a few things you can do to save some money and offset any big bills that may be racked up,” said Desmond.
Heating The Space Correctly
“Heating is one of the biggest costs in winter, but small adjustments can make a big impact. If you can lower your thermostat by just one degree you can reduce your heating bill by up to 10% annually. This means savings of around €150 to €200 a year depending on the size of your rental property,” explains Desmond.
He continues, “If you’re in a position to do so, you can also talk to your landlords about really simple energy efficiency improvements. Installing draught excluders or asking for thicker curtains can reduce heat loss significantly. If you’re paying for heat, these steps can lead to another 5-8% savings on bills. It’s something so small but it makes a huge difference – Also you’ll see in a lot of older properties that there’ll be significant issues with damp, if you get some thicker curtains in and pair them up with a draught excluder, you’re seriously mitigating the risk of mould growth by reducing the amount of condensation that may form on walls and windows.”
Appliances – Fridges, Washing Machines & What to Do
Be energy efficient with appliances. Renters often assume there’s little they can do, but there are plenty of small tricks that can have a big impact. Martin advises, “Fridges and freezers mostly account for 10-20% of energy bills. Here’s the interesting part, these machines actually work more efficiently when they’re full, so by keeping them well stocked you’ll ensure proper air circulation, which can reduce their energy usage by up to 10%. If you have something to defrost, let it do so in the fridge overnight – it lowers the fridge’s temperature, reducing its workload.”
Washer and Dryers
“Washing at lower temperatures is another great tip. Setting your washing machine to 30 degrees instead of 40 can save up to 40% on energy use per load. Similarly, avoid using the dryer unless necessary—dry clothes on a clothes horse instead. Electricity costs have soared in recent years and the dryer can be a massive drain on your pocket, to dry an average load of clothes you could be looking at costs as high as €2 depending on the age & energy rating of your unit, so try and dry them elsewhere if you can.”
Lighting – LEDs the Way to Go
Lighting is often overlooked, but switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs can reduce lighting costs by 75%. “It’s a small investment with big returns. Energy-efficient bulbs can reduce annual electricity bills by as much as €50 for an average rental property, so don’t miss out!”
Smart usage of cooking appliances is another key strategy. “Use your microwave, air fryer, or even a slow cooker instead of the oven, whenever possible,” suggests Martin, “These appliances use significantly less energy and are often more convenient for a busy renter.”
Shop Around!
Many renters aren’t aware they can switch energy suppliers. “If you’re renting a property and paying for your electricity and gas, you’re entitled to switch providers. Doing so could save you up to €300 a year” advises Martin – Smart meters and energy monitors can also help. “Installing a monitor is a simple way to track usage in real-time, helping you to adjust habits and save, you’d be surprised how much energy you’re using when you think you have everything turned off, laptops, computers, televisions, and gaming consoles are big offenders here.”
Boost your BER Rating
The Building Energy Rating (BER) system was introduced for all new homes in 2007 so it’s still quite a relatively new system in Ireland – Basically, the BER measures the energy efficiency of your home on a scale from A to G, with A1 being the most efficient, a higher BER rating indicates lower energy consumption and better home insulation, which translates to lower energy bills and a bit of a saving in the winter months.
“A home with a high BER rating can save up to €1,200 annually compared to a home with a poor rating as a building with better energy efficiency score requires far less heating and cooling, which in turn makes a real, positive impact on your utility bills.” adds Desmond “Also, reducing your home’s overall energy consumptions means a much lower carbon footprint, so you’re doing your bit for the environment and a far more sustainable future”
How to Improve your BER Rating
Insulating your attic, walls and floors can significantly reduce heat loss, which accounts for 20-30% of your home’s energy consumption. If your home is properly insulated you won’t need to have the heating on for as long as high, which will save you money. Upgrading your attic insulation alone can save you around €250-€300 per year in energy costs. You can also have a look at the walls, depending on whether you opt for cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation, this upgrade can save you up to €400 annually.
“The initial costs of getting your attic insulated do vary, you’re looking at anywhere from €1400-3500 depending on the type of insulation and obviously, the size of the attic. Cavity wall insulation is a little bit cheaper and most importantly, there are grants available from the SEAI, for a detached house you could be looking at a grant of around €1700, a typical semi D could be anywhere from €800-1200,” said Desmond
Take a Look at the Boiler
Replacing an old gas or oil boiler with a modern, condensing boiler can save homeowners up to €500 per year, depending on the current state of your existing system. Heat pumps have grown in popularity in recent times and installing an air-source or ground-source heat pump could result in savings of up to €1,000 annually, as these systems draw heat from the environment, reducing the need for traditional fuel sources. They also help reduce your home’s reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to lower carbon emissions.
Solar Panels – Harness the Power of the Sun!
While Wizer Energy specialises in solar panel installations, it’s important to note that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are one of the fastest ways to boost your BER rating and lower your energy bills. Solar panels allow you to generate your own electricity, reducing overall reliance on the grid.
By installing solar panels, homeowners can save between €1000-€3000 per year, depending on the size of the system and the amount of energy consumed.
“If you take a typical south-facing, 4kWp PV system, you’re now looking at an annual saving of around €1200 per year. With Wizer Energy, for example, installation costs currently stand at €8000. Homeowners are entitled to a grant of €2100, bringing the final cost down to under 6k. This means you’ve got a payback period of about 7 years and you can actually start earning money by selling excess energy back to the grid through the microgeneration scheme, effectively reducing your overall electricity tariff.
However, it’s important to act soon if you want to secure the current grant level of €2100, as it’s set to be reduced by a further €300 in January ’25. The grant was initially €3000 when the scheme began, and as we move into 2025, it’s expected to decrease again—making now an ideal time to invest in solar and maximize your savings,” said Martin Desmond
Solar panels also increase your BER rating by providing renewable energy, which can power your home during daylight hours, reducing the load on your heating system.
Draught-Proof Your Home
“Draughts around your windows and doors can let cold air in and allow your heated, warm air to escape which means your heating system has to work harder to maintain a standard temperature,” said Desmond, “sealing gaps in your windows and doors could save you anywhere from €50-€150 annually by improving the overall energy efficiency of your home.”
Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting
“I’d imagine a lot of households have already done so, but switching out traditional incandescent bulbs for LED lighting is a small but impactful step in improving your BER rating. You’d be surprised, LED bulbs use up to 85% less energy than traditional bulbs, and with lighting accounting for about 10-15% of your electricity bill generally, the savings can add up quickly,” adds Desmond
Replacing all the bulbs in your home with energy-efficient LEDs can save you around €100 annually on electricity bills, while also reducing your carbon footprint
