Despite steadying inflation, many households are still feeling the post-Christmas pinch and the bite of hefty energy bills during the winter months. Calculations show that households could save around €1,230 per year on their energy bills by switching up, scaling back or making simple swaps.
Dial it down
Keeping our homes warm can quickly burn a hole in our pockets during the winter months. The cost can range from eight to fifteen euros per day, depending on the size and energy efficiency of your home.
However, simply turning your gas central heating off an hour earlier each day can save you around ten euros per week, and dialling down the thermostat by one degree can save an extra seven euros per week, altogether slashing around 25 per cent off a typical gas bill.
Only using one room? Consider an energy-efficient portable heater to take the chill off rather than heating the whole house. Swap out your old fan heater for an infrared one and save six euros per week. You could save up to €400 per year.
Switch it up
Winters can be pretty gloomy in Ireland, with house lights on for up to 10 hours a day. Add outdoor lighting to the mix, and electricity costs can rocket. Switch to solar-powered outdoor lights and brighten up your house for free, even on cloudy days.
Lift the spirits indoors by replacing your old 60-watt bulbs with low-energy 5-watt LED bulbs and save at least €2.60 per week. For a cosy glow, USB-powered lamps could save you even more. You could save over €135 per year.
Cut the power
Cut back on dishwashing costs and stack up savings by loading your dishwasher to the max and halving your cycles from six per week to three. Using less power on dirty dishes could save around €87 per year.
Buying power tools for a spot of DIY, or gardening? Go cordless, and you’ll use less power and only pay for charging time. Simply hoovering with a cordless model can save around €10 a year, which in the long term could save you up to €90 per year.
Ditch the dryer
Save over three euros per week on laundry costs by opting for a dryer-free approach. It’s one of the most expensive appliances to run, using up to three kilowatts (kW ) per hour. To reduce your costs, air dry whenever possible, reduce your use, or shorten the cycle.
To further shrink your washing costs, fill your machine and cut the number of loads you run each week. Squeezing more into the drum, reducing the number of cycles, and air-drying instead of tumble drying could save around €15 per month, and around €177 per year.
Entertain for less
The energy-intensive Christmas period can drain many household budgets, with kitchen activities typically accounting for around 20 per cent of the average energy bill.
Next year, consider switching off the oven and plugging in smarter gadgets for big family get-togethers. Preparing roast potatoes in an air fryer and steaming vegetables in the microwave could save time and money on big family events.
Together, these smart swaps carried into 2026 could save you €173 per year on your energy bill.
Scale back shower time
Reduce your shower time by five minutes and save over €100 per year. Dial down the temperature and save even more.
For more tips on reducing heating costs and cutting energy bills visit Switcher.ie for more expert guides.
