Selectra, a company specializing in light and gas, has prepared a list of tips, sent in a statement to the editorial staff of
SUPERCASA Notícias, since, according to the
Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Portugal will be hit by a mass of cold air already in the coming days. This means that we will have to say goodbye to the mild temperatures that have been accompanying us and start looking at strategies to deal with the coming cold weather.
None of this is obviously cause for alarm, as the low temperatures are more than typical for this time, were January and February not the coldest months of the year. Even so, these severe days can have a big impact on consumers' energy bills. Therefore, we leave you with some tips to save a lot of money at the end of the month:
1. Check the condition of your heaters
Regardless of whether you have a gas or electric radiator, it is essential to ensure that they work 100% to avoid surprises in your energy bills. So, if you have a water radiator, don't forget to bleed it from time to time. Clean off any dust that accumulates, avoid putting clothes on top of them or blocking the air vents.
2. Keep your home at the right temperature
Considering that Portugal is considered the 4th worst country in the European Union in terms of thermal insulation and that 20% of the Portuguese admit that they cannot heat their homes, the idea of turning on the radiator at full power is often tempting for consumers who look for various ways to deal with the cold that is felt inside their homes.
Even so, it is important to bear in mind that any temperature chosen above 20°C can increase the energy bill by around 7%, so it is best to save this option for when it is really necessary.
3. Pay attention to air leaks
What's the point of spending money on heating your house if the heat ends up disappearing seconds later? That is, to maintain a constant temperature inside the house, it is necessary that there are no air leaks, so you should invest in effective sources of insulation, such as double glazing, for example. In case you don't have that opportunity yet, try putting stickers on doors and windows to reduce the entry of air.
4. Lower the water temperature on your water heater
It's true that a hot bath on a winter's day is one of the most relaxing parts of the day, but that doesn't mean that the water should be scalding hot, because it's not the most beneficial option for your skin. So, check the temperature you have set on the heater and if it's 40°C, try reducing it a little to see how you feel.
5. Optimise the use of the oven
There are few things that taste as good as a roast on a very cold day, however, it should be noted that the oven is one of the most energy-consuming appliances, consuming about 2 kWh per hour of cooking.
Even so, if you really want to enjoy a home-cooked meal during these days, there are little tricks that contribute to more efficient energy consumption, such as:
1) Cook several dishes simultaneously, so as not to lose the residual heat generated;
2) Turn off the oven 20 minutes before the dish is completely finished;
3) Do not open the oven while the food is being prepared, as about 20% of the heat is lost.
6. Review your energy contract
Finally, review the clauses in your electricity and gas contract, find out about current market prices and consider whether your current supplier really offers the best conditions, taking into account your consumption profile.
If you happen to work outside the home all day and only use the space at night, there's no doubt that it's best to keep the heaters turned off while you're away. But if, on the other hand, you are only away from home for 30 minutes, it's OK to keep them on during that time. Still, the best strategy to make a conscious use of energy is to install thermostats at home, since you can program them remotely and set the times at which they should be kept on or off, thus avoiding wasting energy.
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