How does our electricity consumption change in September?

The TV has been announcing it for days: collectables, model kits, all sorts of courses, and gym offers. You would think the back-to-school season was the best time to do what would actually have been perfect to do over the summer. Do we have more free time? Definitely not. And, generally speaking, we don't have money to spare after the holidays either. What we do have in September is a huge desire to do something different from what we are supposed to.

But the fact is, routine takes over. And it brings changes in our lifestyle that, for better or worse, will be noticeable when paying the electricity bill. Less air conditioning and more dishwasher use. Less time playing video games and more time on the computer. Less snacking and more cooked meals for the whole family. And the days are getting shorter, so we will have to turn the lights on earlier.

The point is, with a little foresight, organising our homes and schedules for the new school term can help turn those changes into savings. Achieving this depends on how well we revise some of the most important subjects on our electricity bill.

'Sightology':  the art of lighting your study area to save money.

The first subject that deserves in-depth study is specifically the one that improves your study or work-from-home area: how to manage your lighting so you can work while looking after your eyesight and your wallet. 

As you well know, the cheapest lighting is completely free. It comes from the sun. Whenever possible, prioritise natural light over artificial light. Furthermore, especially if you position your desk to receive light from the side, you will be following one of the main recommendations for reducing eye strain.

When outdoor light is insufficient, the type of bulbs you use will also affect your visual comfort and your electricity bill. If you still use filament bulbs or fluorescent tubes, replacing them with LEDs can save up to 90% on consumption.

In addition, their different wattages and light tones will help you set the mood in your workspace according to your needs, without straining your eyes or causing light oversaturation.

'Dishology': efficient cooking for the whole week

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner have been pretty relaxed during the holidays. But once again, the back-to-school rush and office hours will force us to pull out all the stops. And to focus all our attention on the electricity bill.

Choosing when to cook can translate into how much you save. For example, if you have a time-of-use tariff, batch-cooking most of your meals at the weekend can mean saving 50% on every kWh you consume. On the other hand, if lunches and dinners have to be made around the pace and schedule of each family member, a flat-rate tariff, with the same electricity price 24 hours a day, might suit you better.

Another factor that impacts savings in the kitchen is what you cook with. Here are some comparisons between the most common appliances:

• An induction hob consumes up to 40% less than a ceramic hob.
• For small portions, cooking a roast in an air fryer uses about half the energy of a conventional electric oven.
• For heating food up, a microwave is cheaper and faster than any other method.

However, the appliance that consumes the most in the kitchen isn't used for cooking. Or at least not yet. It's the fridge. Although running it requires less energy, continuous use 24 hours a day racks up the biggest expense. That is why it is advisable to have a fridge with a good energy efficiency rating, avoid opening and closing the door too often, keep it adequately stocked, and never put food away while it is still hot.

'Washology': top marks in dishwashers, washing machines, and uniforms

We would all love to have a complete uniform for every day of the week at home. But what almost all of us have instead is a washing machine. The back-to-school period will put this appliance to the test; along with the dishwasher, it does the most spinning.

Ensuring they aren't also the biggest electricity consumers is a pending subject, year after year. Here are a few tips that might help:

• Choose the eco programme. It usually takes longer to wash, but it can save up to 50% on electricity. 
• Try to run them with a full load, or if that is not possible, select specific half-load programmes.
• Pay attention to potential signs of wear and tear, such as noises, overheating, or longer cycle times, as poor performance also affects electricity consumption.
• If it is time to buy a new appliance, check the energy label to choose one of the most efficient models.
• Whenever you can, use them during the time bands and days of the week when electricity prices are lowest.

'Showerology': the silent cost of the immersion heater

Tucked away in a cupboard, the immersion heater usually goes unnoticed until we decide to have a shower. But managing it correctly throughout the rest of the day can reduce its electricity consumption, depending on how we use hot water.

• Programme it so its maximum heating capacity coincides with your shower routine, saving energy the rest of the day.
• Choose models with insulation systems, as a cold environment can increase electricity consumption by up to 40%.
• If you shower in the morning and have a time-of-use tariff, do it before 8 am to take advantage of cheaper off-peak prices.
• Carry out regular maintenance to prevent limescale build-up, as this reduces heating efficiency.

'Screenology': how to get top marks while unplugged

With the exception of device chargers and, of course, your alarm clock, most of the screens in your home can go to sleep at night. It is a great way to save between 7% and 15% on your household electricity consumption:

• Don't leave the TV, console, and computer on standby, as they continue to consume a small amount of energy even when you aren't using them.
• Unplug chargers that aren't charging anything, as they also rack up a continuous electricity cost.
• Use smart plugs and extension leads to schedule them to switch off when your devices have finished charging, thereby avoiding unnecessary consumption and extending your batteries' lifespan.

Furthermore, you can reduce your daytime bill by completely turning off the router when you aren't home, lowering screen brightness when in use, and leaving your laptop, tablet, or PC unplugged during meals and the times when you are switching off too.

'Autumnology': climate control for the start of the school term

You don't need a university degree to keep your home at the perfect temperature, and this term you will save money doing it. All you have to do is put theory into practice:

Air conditioning in September

If the heat is still beating down in September, the first lesson worth revising is this: for every degree you set the air conditioning below 24ºC, its electricity consumption rises by 8%.

Turning down the AC, combining air conditioning with fans that use less energy, stopping heat from entering the home by closing blinds, awnings, and windows, or airing out the study during the coolest hours are ways to use climate control much less, and much better. 

Prepare your heating before the cold arrives

We know the cold will arrive, just as it does at the start of every school year. And getting your home ready in advance is the best tip for making it cheaper to fight off:

• Check that your radiators, as well as your heating's water pressure, are in perfect working order.
• Air out the house for 5 to 10 minutes first thing in the morning.
• Keep the heat inside by closing windows and doors during the coldest times of the day.
• Take advantage of natural heat by opening the curtains when the sun shines directly on the windows.
• Check that the thermostat and other programmable devices in your heating system are working properly.

Energy-saving checklist to stick on the fridge

1. Don't leave the fridge open. Every time you open and close the fridge, cold air escapes.
2. Make the most of sunlight as a cheap source of lighting and heating.
3. Keep an eye on the windows to maintain a stable temperature in your study.
4. Use your most energy-hungry appliances during the hours when electricity prices are lowest.
5. Charge your study, work, and leisure devices only when necessary, and unplug anything you aren't using from the mains.
6. Keep your immersion heater, air conditioning unit, radiators, and heating system ready for when you need them.
7. Choose the electricity tariff that best suits your household's usage and routines.