Five household habits that could be costing you hundreds of pounds a year

British heatwaves can cause real trouble for Brits trying to save their money, as the temptation to blast any available air conditioning becomes overwhelming. But Jamie Wall, a Personal finance strategist at Gamblizard, has outlined costly mistakes people make during heatwaves and how they can be best avoided. Falling into the air conditioning trap can have you forking out more on your electric bill.

Hot weather often leads to leaving the AC on continuously, but this can skyrocket your costs. Instead of creating an icebox at home, Jamie suggests setting your thermostat to a milder 25–26°C when you're around.

He advises the use of smart thermostats that can automatically regulate the temperature, potentially reducing cooling expenses by a substantial 10–15% per year. For brief periods away from home, it's better to increase it to about 29°C rather than switching it off entirely.

The constant toggling off and on could cause your system to overwork as it attempts to re-cool the room, leading to unnecessary energy consumption. To cut down on using your AC, he recommends heat-reflective window films, closing blinds to block out sunlight during its peak intensity, and using fans to circulate air.

The constant need to do laundry piles up during the hotter days due to frequent clothing changes, impacting energy and water bills. Each washing cycle costs between £0.40 and £0.80 - simply doing two less loads a week could save you over £80 yearly.

Jamie Wall advocates for hanging clothes outside to dry whenever possible, and refreshing them with a spray or using your dryer's "refresh" option instead of subjecting them to repeated washes. Reducing how often you launder your clothes also means saving on detergent and reducing overall laundry volume.

Overwatering plants

In the warmer months, people tend to water their gardens and lawns more frequently, leading to a significant increase in water usage. However, watering during peak heat results in rapid evaporation, leaving plants inadequately hydrated.

By watering in the cooler hours of the morning or evening, you could save between 30–50% of outdoor water use. Consider installing a drip irrigation system or a timer for more efficient and economical watering.

Excessive outdoor lighting

During spring and summer, outdoor lights often remain on throughout the night, resulting in unnecessary energy consumption. Traditional incandescent bulbs are particularly inefficient – they burn out quickly and consume a lot of electricity.

Switching to LED bulbs is a smarter choice – they last longer and use less energy. Replacing just five outdoor incandescent bulbs with LEDs could save you £40–£60 annually.

Another eco-friendly alternative is solar-powered lanterns, which charge during the day and illuminate at night without any wiring. These simple changes can help cut down on electricity usage and reduce waste.

You're likely aware that appliances, even when not in use, consume standby power - a cost that can amount to £80–£120 annually. However, during heatwaves, these plugged-in devices inflict double the damage: they emit minor amounts of heat which cause your air conditioning to exert more effort.

Moreover, in extremely hot conditions, they are prone to overheating, particularly if they are aged, possess heating elements, or have deteriorated components. Unplugging them isn't merely an energy-saving measure.

It's also a safety precaution, as overheating can result in malfunctions, damage, or even fire.