With all these gadgets quietly running up your energy bills, we've got some tips on how to be super efficient with yours.
1. Hair dryers
Hair dryers are hands down the biggest energy users of all the beauty gadgets. And many of us wash, dry and style our hair every day:
Use yours on the coolest setting when you can, instead of blasting your hair on the hottest temperature. The action of heating up air to blow dry is what creates the biggest energy draw.
Switch to a low wattage hair dryer the next time you buy a new one.
To reduce the need for a dryer, let your hair dry naturally some of the time - it's healthier for your hair and healthier for the environment.
2. Electric toothbrushes
Dentists and hygienists recommend electric toothbrushes for the best oral care. Although they're not the most power hungry, unlike manual toothbrushes charging them still adds to your bill.
Keeping your device on constant charge can wear down the life of the battery as well as draw some electricity.
It's best to charge your electric brush when it runs out of power. And running it to empty helps it recharge to maximum capacity when you do plug it into the mains.
3. Hair straighteners
Hair straighteners work by heating up the flat iron part that you 'comb' through your hair, which means they need electricity to generate the heat.
When getting a new pair remember:
Choose ones with a temperature control; being able to adjust the heat settings is helpful in energy saving, and better for your hair.
For both energy efficiency and safety reasons, choose straighteners with an automatic shutoff feature. Aside from auto shutoff, some have a sleep feature that sense they've not been used for a short time.
5. And don't forget... shorten your showers
Spending one minute less in the shower every day as part of your grooming routine will save you around £8 off your energy bills each year.
It will also lower your water consumption, helping you to reduce your water bills and be kinder to the environment.
Home Energy Monitors
Do you know how much electricity you are using and more importantly what is being wasted?
An energy monitor is a device designed to help you understand where and how you use energy, helping you to make savings on your electricity bill by being more energy efficient.
It gives you the power to understand exactly how much electricity is being used and therefore how much money you are spending. It can calculate the daily and monthly running costs of household appliances and lighting - so when you turn on the kettle, for example, you can see exactly how much energy you are using. We’re all responsible for the energy we use, so take control with a home energy monitor. Pick up one today from your preferred retailer.
The Minim+ Home Energy Monitor is the one we recommend.
