Guest Post
There was an outcry across the country in September when the EU banned powerful vacuum cleaners with motors over 1,600 watts. It led to a huge rush on vacuum cleaners, with leading stores reporting sales increases of up to 40% for the most powerful models that would soon become illegal.
Following the ban on vacuum cleaners, there are now rumours that the EU could try to ban other powerful devices in its bid to cut power consumption in the home. This could affect items including lawnmowers, kettles and hairdryers in a bid to reduce the amount of power we use in our homes.
The move to ban powerful vacuum cleaners not only angered customers but also manufacturers. Critics claim that people will simply have to use lower-powered vacuum cleaners for longer, and that there will not be any benefits to the environment as a result.
Choose Your Devices Carefully
Despite the criticism, the overall aim is positive. People do need to reduce the amount of energy they need in the home in order to lower greenhouse gas emissions. We do not yet know how effective it will be, but if it does lead to a fall in household energy consumption, then that is surely a good thing – even though many people will argue that restricting choice is not be the best way to go about it.
One potential positive that it could lead to is lower energy bills. If you consistently use devices that require less power, you may be able to cut your bills as a result. It is therefore a good idea to take this into account every time you buy a new device, so do your research before you make an investment in an electrical product to see if you can save energy in this way.
Save Money on Your Bills
As well as using low-energy electric devices, there are many other ways that you can cut your energy usage and lower your bills. For example, some of the biggest savings can be made through making small changes around the home.
This could include turning off all devices when they are not in use, like the TV and the computer, turning your lights off when you are not using them, and using low-energy light bulbs.
It could also involve larger changes, such as investing in solar panels or increasing the amount of insulation in your home.
When smart meters are rolled out across the country, you will also be able to find out how much you are using on a daily basis. This could make it easier for you to see where you are using the most energy, and you could try to set targets to cut your energy usage as a result.
And of course, when it comes to saving energy on your bills, you can always consider finding a more suitable plan for your situation. There are many gas and electricity plans available, so look around and do some research. Visit the sites of major energy companies like npower.com and find out whether you could be getting a more convenient plan that could help you to spend less money on your energy.
Reduce Energy Use and Bills At the Same Time
The EU has made a lot of people angry with its new rules and regulations that many feel reduces their choice when it comes to buying electrical devices. However, rather than fighting against the new regulations, you can use it as an opportunity to find out where you can cut your power usage and how you can save money on your bills.
If you are using powerful electrical devices, by changing to a cheaper tariff you could save money on your bills each year. At the same time, find out whether it is in your interest to choose lower-power devices so you can cut your power usage and your bills at the same time.
Jason Donner is always on the lookout for energy-saving news. A keen researcher, he enjoys sharing his ideas and insights online. His articles mainly appear on homeowner and personal finance blogs.
