Spring clean your home and cut your energy bills

10 quick spring cleaning tips to cut costs and boost efficiency

With the brighter days of spring arriving, now’s the perfect time to freshen up your home – and improve its energy efficiency in the process. A few simple maintenance tasks can help keep appliances running smoothly, reduce energy waste, and lower your bills.

Here are our top tips to give your home a deep clean while making it more energy-efficient.

1. Let the sunshine in

Over the winter, dirt and condensation can build up on your windows, reducing the amount of natural light entering your home. Cleaning them inside and out will brighten your space and reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day.

2. Give your extractor fans a once-over

Kitchen and bathroom extractor fans remove steam and odours, but when clogged with dust, they work harder and use more energy. Wipe them down or give them a quick vacuum to keep them running efficiently.

3. Keep your fridge in top shape

Your fridge runs 24/7, making it one of the biggest energy users in your home. Vacuuming the coils at the back removes dust build-up, helping it stay cool with less effort – and reducing your electricity use.

Check out our home appliance usage breakdown to see how much energy your appliances consume.

4. Defrost your freezer

A thick layer of ice inside your freezer makes it work harder to stay cold. Defrost it regularly to keep it running efficiently and free up space for extra storage.

5. Descale your kettle

In areas with hard water, limescale builds up quickly inside kettles, making them less efficient. Descaling it with vinegar or a specialist cleaner will help it boil faster and use less energy.

6. Deep clean your oven

Grease and food debris make ovens less efficient, forcing them to use more power to reach the right temperature. A thorough clean helps your oven heat up faster and cook more evenly.

7. Switch off standby power

Unplugging unused appliances like electric heaters, blankets, or spare chargers prevents them from using standby energy. Smart plugs or power strips can also help cut down on unnecessary energy use. If you're on a smart time-of-use tariff, shifting your electricity usage to off-peak times can help reduce your bills.

8. Dust your radiators

A layer of dust on radiators traps heat and stops it from circulating properly. A quick vacuum or dusting can help your heating system work more effectively.

9. Check your tumble dryer

With milder weather, drying clothes outside is a great way to save energy. If you do use a tumble dryer, clean the lint filter and vents to keep it running efficiently.

10. Clean your solar panels

If you have solar panels, a quick clean with warm water and a soft brush can remove dirt and debris, ensuring they generate as much power as possible as the days get sunnier. 

Thinking about installing solar? Get a solar panel installation quote and start saving. You may also be eligible for microgeneration payments for selling excess energy back to the grid.

Looking for more ways to save on your energy bills? Visit our energy saving tips page for expert advice.