6 Essential Things to Clean to Reduce Energy Bills at Home
When you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy bills, cleaning probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind.
Most of us think about turning down the thermostat, switching lights off or using the tumble dryer less. But there are also parts of your home that can become less efficient when they’re covered in dust, fluff, ice or limescale.
And considering that washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for around 14% of a typical household energy bill, while fridges and freezers account for around 13%, keeping hard-working appliances in good condition makes sense.
Cleaning alone won’t transform your energy bills, of course. But if an appliance is having to work harder than necessary, a few simple maintenance jobs could help it operate more efficiently.
Here are six places to start.
1. Clean Your Tumble Dryer Filter
If you use a tumble dryer regularly, this should be one of the first things on your list.
Every drying cycle produces fluff and fibres, which are caught by the lint filter.
When that filter becomes clogged, airflow can be restricted and your dryer may have to work harder to dry your clothes.
Make a habit of checking and cleaning the lint filter after every load, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Depending on your dryer, there may also be additional filters or a heat exchanger that requires regular cleaning.
It’s a job that takes minutes, yet it’s surprisingly easy to forget.
Redrose Tip
If clothes suddenly seem to be taking longer to dry than they used to, don’t immediately assume the machine is failing. Check and clean the filters first.
2. Clean the Coils and Vents Around Your Fridge
Your fridge-freezer never really gets a day off.
It runs 24 hours a day, keeping your food at the correct temperature – which is why even small efficiency improvements are worth considering.
Depending on the design of your appliance, condenser coils or ventilation areas may be accessible at the back or underneath.
Dust can accumulate around these areas over time.
If your manufacturer’s instructions recommend cleaning them, carefully removing that dust can help the appliance operate efficiently.
Always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions and switch off the appliance before cleaning areas where this is required.
While you’re there, check that ventilation around the fridge hasn’t become blocked by stored items.
3. Defrost Your Freezer
Open your freezer.
Are the walls and drawers disappearing beneath layers of ice?
If yours isn’t a frost-free model, it may be time for a defrost.
Ice build-up reduces the usable space inside your freezer and can make it work harder to maintain its temperature.
Regularly defrosting a freezer when necessary can therefore help keep it operating efficiently.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to clean and reorganise it.
Throw away anything that is no longer safe to eat, organise what’s left and put older food where you’re more likely to see and use it.
That could save money twice – by helping the appliance operate efficiently and reducing forgotten food waste.
4. Descale Your Kettle
That chalky white coating inside your kettle is limescale, and it’s particularly common if you live in a hard-water area.
It might look harmless, but a significant build-up can make the kettle’s heating element less effective, meaning it can take longer – and require more energy – to boil your water.
Regular descaling helps keep the kettle in good condition.
How often you need to do it will depend partly on your water and how frequently the kettle is used, so follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
And once it’s clean, there’s an even easier energy-saving habit to adopt:
Don’t boil more water than you need.
Making two cups of tea?
Heat enough for two cups rather than filling the kettle to the top.
5. Clean Your Dishwasher Filter
Here’s another part of the kitchen that’s very easy to forget.
Your dishwasher filter catches food debris and prevents it from being redistributed around the machine.
Over time, it can become dirty or clogged.
A dirty dishwasher may not clean as effectively, potentially tempting you to run another cycle or use more intensive programmes.
Remove and clean the filter regularly according to your machine’s instructions.
While you’re doing it, inspect the spray arms too. Small pieces of food or limescale can sometimes obstruct the holes.
Keeping the dishwasher clean helps it do its job properly the first time.
For further savings, wait until you’ve got a full load before switching it on and use an appropriate eco setting where available.
6. Clean Your Washing Machine Filter
Your washing machine deserves some attention too.
Many machines have a pump filter designed to catch small objects and debris before they cause problems elsewhere in the appliance.
If you’ve never cleaned yours, now might be a good time to locate it.
Check your washing machine manual first, because the location and cleaning procedure varies between models.
Be prepared for some water to escape when the filter is opened.
While you’re maintaining the machine, clean the detergent drawer and check around the door seal too.
A well-maintained washing machine is more likely to perform as intended, helping you avoid repeat washes when clothes haven’t come out properly clean.
And when you do wash, energy-saving habits matter.
Where suitable for your laundry, washing at a lower temperature and waiting until you have a full load can reduce the energy used.
How Much Can Cleaning Really Save?
Cleaning your kettle or vacuuming your fridge coils isn’t suddenly going to knock hundreds of pounds off your annual energy bill.
The biggest household energy savings are more likely to come from changes to heating, insulation, appliance efficiency and the way you use energy-intensive equipment.
But cleaning and maintenance still have a role.
If a clogged filter, layer of ice or coating of limescale is preventing an appliance from operating efficiently, dealing with it makes sense.
And unlike many energy-efficiency improvements, most of these jobs cost virtually nothing.
Combine Cleaning With Smarter Energy Habits
Once your appliances are clean, there are other simple ways to reduce the amount of energy they use.
Try:
- Washing clothes at lower temperatures where appropriate
- Waiting for full washing-machine and dishwasher loads
- Using eco programmes where suitable
- Drying clothes outside when the weather allows
- Avoiding unnecessary tumble-dryer use
- Boiling only the water you need
- Keeping fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible
- Switching off appliances that don’t need to remain on standby
None of these changes feels particularly dramatic.
But small savings across appliances you use every day can add up over time.
Don’t Forget the Manufacturer’s Instructions
Before dismantling filters, moving appliances or applying cleaning products, check the manual for your particular model.
Maintenance requirements differ.
A frost-free freezer, for example, shouldn’t require manual defrosting in the same way as a conventional freezer. Some tumble dryers have self-cleaning components, while others require several filters to be maintained.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions will help you clean the appliance safely without accidentally damaging it.
Final Thoughts – 6 Essential Things to Clean to Reduce Energy Bills at Home
Reducing your energy bills doesn’t always require an expensive home improvement.
Sometimes it’s simply about helping the appliances you already own work as efficiently as they’re designed to.
A clogged tumble-dryer filter, dusty fridge coils, an iced-up freezer or heavily scaled kettle can easily go unnoticed.
But they’re all straightforward maintenance jobs worth adding to your household routine.
So before you start searching for the latest energy-saving gadget, spend an hour giving the appliances you already own a little attention.
A cleaner home could also be a slightly more energy-efficient one.
Redrose Tip – 6 Essential Things to Clean to Reduce Energy Bills at Home
Set a recurring reminder on your phone called “Energy-Saving Appliance Clean”.
Some jobs, such as cleaning a tumble-dryer lint filter, need doing frequently, while others can be checked periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
It takes very little effort – and it could help your appliances perform better, last longer and avoid wasting unnecessary energy.📞 Call us on 01772 456 558 or pop into our Buckshaw Village office for a friendly chat and expert advice
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6 Essential Things to Clean to Reduce Energy Bills at Home