Spring clean your energy use

As the days get longer, we can take advantage of the sun’s natural heat and light. By opening our curtains and blinds during the day, we naturally warm our homes and need less electric lighting. Just make sure to close them again in the evening to trap in the heat. 

If you have solar panels, you can make the most of them by running appliances during sunny periods. Many modern appliances have a timer function that you can set to run while you’re not home. Check that the appliance you are using is safe to run unattended. Slow cookers are also perfect for this as they use a low level of energy over a long period. 

With the rise in temperature in spring, opening the windows is much more comfortable than in the winter. This means we can ventilate our homes more frequently. Ventilation lowers humidity and improves airflow, giving your dehumidifier a well-deserved rest and preventing damp and mould. Dry air is also much easier to heat, meaning your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard. If you still need to use your heating on a brisk spring evening, ventilating your home earlier in the day can help it warm up later on. 

If you have an outdoor space like a balcony or garden, you can also take advantage of the drier air by drying your laundry outdoors. Even if the sun is not shining, your clothes will still dry faster than hanging them inside. Just keep an eye out for rain! 

Energy prices are generally lower in the spring and summer. This is because there is less demand for gas and electricity. Since the Energy Price Cap was introduced in 2019, households are better able to adapt to changes in fuel costs. The new Price Cap for April 2026 is set to go down by 6.7%. 

You could make the most of this price decrease by switching to a fixed tariff now. Fixed tariffs typically last between 12 and 24 months. They can offer more consistency and security since they don’t rise and fall like a standard variable tariff. Just be careful of those sneaky exit fees! 

If you are on a standard variable tariff and pay by direct debit, reducing your energy use in spring could also save you money later in the year. Because direct debit payments are averaged out over the year, you can lower your winter energy costs by using less energy in the warmer months. 

Pay-as-you-go customers can also take advantage of the lower spring energy rates. If your finances allow, you could top-up a little extra each time to build credit on your meter. That way, when winter comes around, you have extra cash for those heating bills. Future you will love you for this! 

Birthdays, New Year’s, moving home, a change in the season: these are all examples of “temporal landmarks”. These are periods of time that have a significant psychological effect on us. Research suggests it’s easier to build new habits during these moments as we start with a clean slate. For example, if you wanted to lower your electricity usage by reducing the time you spend in the shower, making that change at the turn of the season could help you continue that new habit throughout the year. 

Many people use spring to give those hard-to-reach spots some well-deserved attention. This is a great time to do some light maintenance on your appliances to improve their efficiency. Some examples include defrosting your freezer, cleaning your washing machine filter, extractor fans, and tumble dryer vent hose. Simple maintenance like this helps appliances run more efficiently and use less energy. By showing your appliances a little love, they might just love you back. 

This spring, a few small changes could make a big difference to your energy use. There is never a bad time to rethink your energy use, and all our personal circumstances are different. However, if you are looking for an excuse to lower your bills, this is it. 

Get in touch with our team for more advice on how you can spring clean your energy use and start saving.