Stay Cosy for Less: 3 Simple Ways to Cut Your Home Energy Bills

Have you noticed your home energy bills are creeping up? If so, you’re not alone: recent figures show that a typical three-bedroom house in Ireland can rack up an annual electricity bill of €1,736. If you have gas, you can add another €1,498 every year. That’s an average cost of €269.50 per month - before you include other day-to-day costs like groceries, TV, and broadband.

As a home insurance provider in Ireland, we’re here to help you stay warm and cosy this winter, without breaking the bank. From sealing draughts, to smart upgrades such as solar panels there are lots of ways to cut down on our energy costs. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to help you lower your household spend, one simple step at a time.

1. Start small: Tiny tweaks that deliver big results

You’d be surprised how easy it is to make energy savings at home. Some of the most effective methods are simple and inexpensive - the kind you can make this weekend.

Turn down your thermostat: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) recommends we reduce the thermostat for our living areas to 20°C. They say that “the temperature in hallways and bedrooms should be cooler, ideally between 15-18°C,” pointing out that lowering the thermostat by just 1° can reduce our heating bills by as much as 10%.
Apply heating controls: Many modern heating systems have built-in timers and zone limits. These can take a little figuring out, which is why many of us ignore them. Take some time to study your manual or look up guidance online so you can put this technology to work, automating your heating or restricting it only to the areas you use most often.
Fix draughts and leaks; Do you feel a draught when you walk by a certain door or window? These are areas that commonly leak heat out through small gaps in their seals. Fixing this problem can be as simple as buying a low-cost draught excluder or to get your doors and windows serviced to replace any broken seals.

2. Consider investing: Upgrades for a more efficient home

Some of the most impactful energy-efficiency changes you can make to your home involve investment. The good news is that there is a lot of support available for this, in the form of grants, subsidies, and vouchers.

Insulate key areas: The SEAI estimates that up to 30% of our home’s heat is lost through uninsulated walls and roofs. Applying modern materials and technologies can help drastically reduce this loss. Of course, this comes with a cost but grants of up to €1,500 are available for attic insulation, and up to €8,000 for wall insulation.
Upgrade your heating system: If your old boiler is still lumbering on, many years into its service, it might be time to consider replacing it. A 15-year-old boiler will often have an efficiency level of around 70%, but a newer one will come in around 90-95%, delivering far more value for your money every month. While buying a new boiler is not cheap, it’s an investment you should consider in time.
Install solar panels: Contrary to popular belief, solar panels work extremely well in Ireland, despite our wet and windy weather. They can help drastically reduce the cost of your electricity bills - by as much as 80% every year. Read the SEAI detailed guide to solar panels in Ireland if you’re thinking about making the move to renewable energy at home.

3. Change your mindset: Energy-conscious living

If you grew up in an Irish household, you probably heard the classic reminder of “don’t forget to turn off the immersion!” While many of us now have electric showers, the old mindset of saving energy - and money - still applies.

Cook, wash, and dry smarter: Batch cooking, air-drying laundry, and taking showers instead of baths can reduce your energy, water consumption, and household bills. Even something as simple as choosing the eco-mode on your washing machine will use up to 35% less energy than normal cycles.
Explore lower-cost energy: Smart meters are being installed nationwide, with more than two million now in place in homes, across Ireland. These can help you get insights into how you’re using your energy. You might find that running your dishwasher, washing machine, or electric vehicle charger overnight could help you take advantage of cheaper off-peak tariffs.
Unplug “energy vampires”: Many of our home appliances continue to draw power even when they’re off or on standby. Some of the worst culprits are TVs, computers, printers, and coffee machines, contributing to up to 10% of our electricity costs. Unplug unused appliances when you’re not using them or use smart plugs to turn them off automatically.

Let’s face it; energy is at the heart of home life, from the warm water, for your babies' bath to the hot oven we cook a Sunday roast in. Comfort comes at a cost and in Ireland, that cost is very high.

These straightforward steps can help to reduce this burden on your household, cutting your bills and also potentially increasing the resale value of your home.

Don’t forget, though, if you invest in solar panels, upgraded insulation, or a new heating system, make sure your home insurance reflects these improvements. Updating your policy protects your investment and keeps your rebuild cost accurate.

Take a moment today to get a home insurance quote. It's the smart way to safeguard every upgrade you make in your home.

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