There’s no denying that the summer months can be sweltering hot, which means staying cool becomes a top priority for those living in a student house.
However, with rising energy costs amidst the current cost of living crisis and the need to save money for your student budget, it’s essential to find ways to stay comfortable without breaking the bank.
Luckily, we’ve got just the guide for you filled with easy and practical tips and tricks to save energy during the summer – thank us later!
1. Make The Most Of Natural Ventilation
If you’re living in a student house and are keen to save energy during the summer, be sure to open windows and doors during cooler parts of the day.
It’s best to open your windows and curtains during the early mornings and late evenings, as this will allow fresh air to circulate through the house.
This is a cost-effective way to maintain a comfortable temperature, but just be careful to close windows if you’re leaving the house.
2. Use Fans Wisely
When the temperatures rise, fans can become your best friend for keeping cool, especially during the night time.
We’d suggest positioning box fans near windows to push hot air out, creating a cross-breeze effect.
A great tip is to try placing a bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle in front of the fan to add a refreshing chill to the air.
Leaving fans plugged in for too long can easily rack up your utility bills though, so use them wisely and remember to turn them off when leaving a room to save electricity.
We’d also suggest clearing the fan blades regularly as this will ensure optimal cooling and it will use less electricity!
3. Dry Clothes Without A Tumble Dryer
Washing clothes in cold water and hanging them outside to dry, or hanging them up inside on a clothes maiden can save a significant amount of energy during the summer months.
Tumble dryers can generate a lot of heat and consume a lot of electricity, making this a valuable energy-saving tip.
If you do need to use the washing machine and tumble dryer in your student home, wait until you have full loads or put a wash on with your flatmates to save energy.
4. Cook Outside
Keen to save energy this summer? Grilling outdoors or enjoying some cool salads keeps the heat out of the kitchen and will help cut utility costs.
When you do cook inside, opt for a microwave or toaster oven whenever possible, as these use less energy compared to the conventional oven.
After all, the last thing you need on a warm summer day is extra heat generated from appliances.
It’s also a great excuse to have more BBQ parties and enjoy some alfresco food and drink with your friends!
5. Set Thermostat Wisely
Are you wanting your student house to stay as cool this summer? If so, your thermostat is your energy-saving partner.
Keeping your thermostat setting at a comfortable yet sensible temperature like 24-25°C rather than the coldest setting is best.
Even just raising it by a degree or two can make a significant difference in energy consumption, which can easily bump up your utility bills!
6. Unplug and Switch Off
When not in use, you should make sure to unplug chargers, electronic devices, and small appliances in your student home to save your energy usage.
Remember, standby mode still consumes energy so you need to make sure you’ve unplugged any electronics if you want to save money and be more environmentally conscious.
Turning off lights and appliances when leaving a room or heading out will also help to reduce your unnecessary usage.
Conserving energy not only helps the environment but will also save you money on your energy bills, this way you’ll have more money to spend on other things!
7. Be Smart With Water Usage
Being smart with your water usage and developing small habits will keep your utility bills in check while also benefiting the environment.
During the hot summer days try to shorten your showers and make sure to turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or washing your face.
Considering the weather is warmer during this time of year, you should consider opting for a cold shower instead and steer clear of baths.
After all, hot water usage accounts for 25% of the energy consumption in your home.
If you really do need to have a warm shower, you should try to set heating and hot water timers to prevent overuse.
When it comes to washing your dishes, you should only pop the dishwasher on when you have tons of things to wash to maximise its efficiency and cut down on costs.
8. Switch Energy Suppliers
If you’re looking for a simple yet effective way to save some money on utility bills, you should consider switching energy suppliers.
By doing so, you may find better deals and lower rates that can significantly reduce your electricity bills.
Typically, the summer months are expected to be cheaper due to reduced energy consumption, but it’s important to note that this isn’t always the case.
Therefore, it’s essential to regularly compare energy plans to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal whilst living in a student home.
Take advantage of online comparison tools and sit down with your housemates to start exploring your options, you never know, you may find a better deal elsewhere!
Making small changes like optimising natural ventilation, drying clothes outside, cooking outside and so on can add up to significant energy savings, which is great for your student budget.
Now you’ll be able to stay comfortable and cool this summer whilst living in a student house with our helpful tips and tricks!
If you love this blog, you should take a read of our blog post on Things They Don’t Tell You About Shared Student Houses.