<![CDATA[ Latest from Ideal Home in Energy-saving ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/home-energy/energy-saving Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 en <![CDATA[ I only washed my clothes on a 30° cycle for four weeks and this is how much I saved on my energy bills and my laundry is just as clean ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-used-30-degree-washing-machine-cycle-for-a-month sEwNRWNLvEUrabZHXHsMdD Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:05:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ Plug-in solar panels could soon be available — but should you buy a plug-in kit or would a rooftop installation be better? I asked the experts how the two systems differ ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/plug-in-solar-panels-vs-rooftop-solar-panels 9GAvydZnh5je5E7pReJD3Y Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Plug-in solar panels will soon be available in the UK — this is everything we know about how they work ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/what-are-plug-in-solar-panels qnjwQzWT24uAnRgY35MhGJ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:22:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 counter-top kitchen appliances you should always unplug when not in use — I’ve been wasting so much money on my energy bills by leaving mine plugged in ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/counter-top-kitchen-appliances-to-unplug-after-use 5KpaxfWzD2XcBTAc9ZJZH6 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I traded my usual dishwasher setting for this eco-friendly alternative– it’s saving me £35 a year and my dishes are just as clean as before ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-switched-to-an-eco-friendly-dishwasher-setting 7PpRJ68HBk6VFXaDJEene Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:00:28 +0000 <![CDATA[ I've put off this quick and easy task in my home for more than a year and it's cost me up to £235 on wasted energy – don't make the same mistake I did! ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/235-pound-draught-proofing-mistake iL8nDyDHEhdYpnPTwpqAqn Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:02:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ I swapped using my dishwasher for handwashing my dishes for a month to avoid wasting energy, but I've got 4 reasons why it was harder to give up than I thought ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-stopped-using-my-dishwasher-for-a-month xUYNPgdcjoHMrRsf8zHRRP Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’ve been wasting energy through these 3 decor choices for years – and it turns out each one has been costing me up to £250 a year ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/energy-wasting-decor-mistakes EJjjVShsokJvXGt2id3ZMj Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:36:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ I switched to a smart kettle to avoid wasting energy six months ago, and this is how much I actually saved ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-switched-to-a-smart-kettle-to-avoid-energy-wastage yLhQnH2MTJnTyNpwSheuhV Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:33:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ 'Plug-in' solar panels could be available in shops and supermarkets within months as part of government push to cut energy bills ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/government-to-make-plug-in-solar-panels-available-uk 3uqxmQxHDtinjJhmKMoveY Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:26:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ 3 things people with low energy bills always have — side-step potential price rises and avoid wasting energy by trying them in your own home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/things-people-with-low-energy-bills-always-have KGLHJk2UuuyT3Us3WAdt9V Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Are energy bills going up? I’m a home energy expert and this is what you need to know about when prices might rise, and what you can do right now to minimise the impact ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/when-are-energy-bills-going-up YamzyfcjR5Ds2XJdonhyg3 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:38:08 +0000 <![CDATA[ I really want to install solar panels on my roof but was gutted when my architect and structural engineer told me to hold off for a few years — this is why ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/why-i-have-to-wait-to-install-solar-panels VZVnsGWwbHtSXzrZ44hoTG Sun, 08 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I went a whole month without using my tumble dryer, thinking I would avoid wasting energy, but it turns out I had to sacrifice something else in return ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-stopped-using-my-tumble-dryer-for-a-month Hz5MtbHvcRxm5eMmbH4KrV Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:35:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ 3 things you'll only need to do once to improve your home's energy efficiency – and now is the ideal time to do them ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/one-time-ways-to-save-energy GTVbgF5Pk2Ted5Gb3sXiya Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ These 5 tactics will help you use your electric heater more efficiently and avoid wasting energy ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/how-to-use-your-electric-heater-more-efficiently YnqosqRHZgLzrGCqD3sq4F Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:47:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ 3 ways I'm using Storm Chandra to make my home more energy efficient ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/how-i-use-storm-chandra-to-make-my-home-more-energy-efficient YNDDQAmWwtZMC667Y8HmJN Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:21:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ What is the Warm Homes Plan and will you benefit from it? Everything you need to know about the new government scheme to reduce your energy bills ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/warm-homes-plan kfm5zYkct9URAXVgSRxPcY Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:06:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ This retro, energy-saving decor trend is having a huge comeback – Next’s Scandi-style offerings are the best I’ve seen ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/heating/next-stylish-draught-excluders PPmrfhujtbNgygpVgqkb2b Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ The 5 areas of my old house that leak heat – and what the experts told me to do about it ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/places-my-old-home-leaks-heat ubsuFXiKvEygTvuae7rC3T Mon, 05 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ The lazy (and inexpensive) way I’m planning to save energy at home this year ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-am-choosing-a-smart-plug-to-save-energy-in-2026 UKe3TebYoUbed6uYWSFTg6 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I had a freezing cold conservatory for 10 years and wasted £3k trying to make it warmer — this is how I've finally solved the issue ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/how-i-solved-the-problem-of-my-freezing-cold-conservatory tbWG6YshqzAdRFRbckBFSB Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:15:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ I'm a home energy expert, and these are the 3 energy-guzzling habits I'm ditching in the new year ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/energy-guzzling-habits-i-am-ditching-in-2026 BuVEZByasuP2ixNiu4epXe Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:28:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ Does using your kitchen extractor fan less in winter keep your home warmer? I asked the pros about the sweet spot between retaining heat and getting rid of moisture ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/does-the-extractor-fan-energy-saving-hack-work NnwTyXSD7aBsbRwA5xCkan Mon, 29 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ These 3 energy-saving changes made my home warmer this year, and none of them involved turning my thermostat up ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/things-that-made-my-house-warmer-in-2025-without-increasing-energy-bills pTCx5hqM9Eq8Qj8rxgezZC Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Have no choice but to use your tumble dryer over the festive period? Try these methods I swear by to keep the cost as low as possible ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/energy-saving-methods-for-tumble-dryers 3b4XEdzNjYh7AMi2Sevfje Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:15:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ The £23 buy I’ve raved about for more than three years that keeps my energy bills under control – I tell everyone I know to buy them too ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/why-i-rate-radiator-reflectors eq4c9BwHJk9ePEVpDPueUc Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:45:55 +0000 <![CDATA[ My old house was riddled with draughts and condensation until I made this one significant change — it wasn’t cheap but it’s been transformative ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-upgraded-from-single-to-double-glazing-to-improve-efficiency vJsq2sShVkCp6ubd77oeza Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ This £8 secondary glazing film has worked wonders on the sash windows in my old cottage — my home is warmer for longer, and I don’t have to wipe away condensation as much ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-added-secondary-glazing-film-to-my-old-cottage dXY9HJbBQQJ2sGneP4EcSi Sun, 07 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 ways you’re wasting energy with your Christmas decorations — but these easy tweaks will fix them fast ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/ways-your-christmas-decorations-are-wasting-energy kbBKJa9cG9fLkJoMpnmgiN Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 methods I’ve honed over 5 years to keep warm while working from home — without the heating on all day ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/methods-i-swear-by-while-working-from-home 7Wd3huTbjC44kzJoGrA6bY Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:45:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I've been following Martin Lewis' 'tactical' 4pm rule for years, and I never have to turn my heating on for a sneaky extra hour in the evening ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/martin-lewis-tactical-4pm-rule EHmkcQDJqPuBbNp8SwxmRj Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:00:00 +0000 Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:59:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ 7 easy upgrades I’ve made at home to keep it warm this winter — they’ll help reduce our energy bills too ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/home-upgrades-to-beat-the-winter-chill PQFtBQ8ptyMMVASC6BZsL5 Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ OVO is offering free electric blankets to those who ‘think you’ll struggle to pay your bills’ – how to check if you’re eligible ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/ovo-extra-support-package-2025 i9D2apuqbRQVUQRz8LcxjN Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Energy meters in 300,000 homes could stop working at the end of June ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-savingr/rts-system-energy-meters-switch-deadline qY2e2yYBSbwTm9DpoeDwAW Wed, 30 Apr 2025 10:10:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Heating experts warn against cranking up the thermostat to heat your home quicker - this is what you should be doing instead ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/experts-warn-against-quick-heating-hack XTuRXs3keckhJYRCgjP8Fj Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:54:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ What is thermal window film? Experts reveal how to save over £70 per year on your heating for less than £15 ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/what-is-thermal-window-film uFh9PPHMMd5UutaP3ynvKH Thu, 30 Jan 2025 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Why is my heat pump blowing cold air? Experts warn it could be one of these five things — and three of them need immediate attention ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/why-is-my-heat-pump-blowing-cold-air 9WCmHX2j3FgpNnJ2FZuBuG Sun, 26 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to draught-proof a front door — expert-approved tips to shut out the cold and prevent internal heat from escaping ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/how-to-draught-proof-a-front-door eW5JAfecuY69zpDRNHDcbP Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Is it cheaper to leave your heating on all day? The official answer plus the exceptions you need to know about ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/is-it-cheaper-to-leave-your-heating-on-all-day RWzahTasDYFYox8rsonSb8 Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:30:10 +0000 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:45:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ Heating experts are warning households to get their boilers serviced now to beat the winter rush for engineers ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/heating-experts-boiler-service-winter-rush-warning mqULD6WS2kGfk56F5H4vpf Tue, 24 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0000 Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:34:32 +0000 <![CDATA[ The 5 home appliances you should never leave on standby if you want to avoid high energy bills ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/appliances-not-to-leave-on-standby 5rLRHG5Lx4zW2KPgEQmmGm Wed, 17 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Thu, 04 Jul 2024 10:37:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ This is how much keeping your appliances on standby is *actually* costing you ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/appliances-on-standby-annual-cost dhCJFSCsjsUp4PuhE9356M Sun, 24 Mar 2024 09:00:46 +0000 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:34:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ 7 clever tricks to help you heat your home without turning the heating on this winter ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/heat-your-home-without-turning-the-heating-on qFp2NjipLmSuEXjsK6AhPb Mon, 27 Nov 2023 07:00:50 +0000 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:19:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ ‘Is it worth the money?’ This is the tool our product testers use to rate every appliance’s cost-to-run value ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/energy-monitoring-plug-appliance-review-test jskDn3zhd6Te5nHFYFMnpJ Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:01:29 +0000 Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:01:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ Martin Lewis reveals the cheapest (and most underrated) way to stay warm this winter –⁠ and it's only £6 ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/martin-lewis-microwaveable-wheat-bags DEjvbxzUQbjjzNAwY2iGDo Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:15:25 +0000 Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:17:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ The easily-avoided energy mistakes that are adding up to £300 to your energy bills ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/home-energy/energy-mistakes-adding-to-energy-bills 52kgvYBPht6bxEKWQJu5ab Mon, 06 Mar 2023 13:10:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ The appliance mistake that could be adding up to £340 to your energy bills ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/home-energy/old-appliance-mistake-adding-to-energy-bills naQY6dvdrc3gpNok5hb4VS Sat, 04 Feb 2023 12:00:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ Energy saving myths - 4 things that won't save you money according to the experts ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/home-energy/energy-saving-myths mGiTXaMck83YjCSY9mSJib Sat, 17 Dec 2022 16:00:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ Hot water bottle vs electric blanket - which is better for keeping warm at night? ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/home-energy/hot-water-bottle-vs-electric-blanket TiLgFYKUYEaDHJRAF5vmBL Sat, 17 Dec 2022 12:00:49 +0000 Fri, 09 Aug 2024 10:36:46 +0000