As a university student, managing your finances can be a challenge. With tuition fees, rent and other living expenses to pay for, it can be difficult to find ways to save money or even remain within your budget.
One way that you can reduce your monthly outgoings is by reducing you utility bills. There’s a lot to get to grips with when it comes to utility bills for students – so for general information on this topic, this useful guide should help.
But if you are specifically looking for ways to reduce your own bills, you are in the right place.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best tips and tricks for saving money on utility bills as a university student, leaving you with more cash in your pocket to spend on more enjoyable things.
Use the free charging outlets at university
Many universities provide free charging outlets for students, so you don’t have to worry about always using your own electricity when you need to charge your laptop or phone. Taking advantage of this can be a great starting point to reducing your bills.
Compare different energy suppliers
By shopping around and checking out different deals on offer, you can find the best solution for your needs. Make sure to look at all of the options available, including green energy providers, and compare them based on their rates, customer service, and any additional benefits they may offer. Additionally, you should also consider any discounts or special offers that may be available.
Consider batch cooking
If you get into the habit of cooking larger amounts of food at once, you can reduce the amount of energy used for each meal. This will allow you to lower your energy usage and also cut down on food wastage, which can also help you to save money.
Additionally, batch cooking means that you can prepare meals ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer, so that you have quick and easy meals ready when needed. So not only can this save you money, but it can also save time.
Use a dishwasher ahead of hand washing
Dishwashers actually provide a more energy efficient way of cleaning dishes compared to hand washing. These handy appliances use less water and energy when compared with hand washing dishes over the long term.
Reduce your heating and wrap up warm
A simple way to reduce your energy consumption is to turn down your thermostat and wrap up warm. Even reducing the temperature by as little as 1ºC can make a significant difference to your utility bills.
You can always wear an extra layer of clothing to ensure you remain comfortable in your student property when the heating is off or set to a reduced level.
Opt for energy efficient appliances and lightbulbs
When it comes to energy efficiency, appliances and lightbulbs can make a big difference. Look out for energy efficient products to help reduce your carbon footprint as well as your monthly utility bills.
Turn off lights and appliances when not in use
Turning off lights and appliances when not in use is an obvious suggestion, but something that people often forget to do consistently. This simple action can help lower your utility bills by reducing the amount of energy you are using. You should also get into the habit of unplugging any devices that are not in use. This can help to reduce your energy consumption, as many appliances continue to use power when in standby mode.
Take shorter showers
Taking shorter showers will result in you using less water – that’s pretty obvious, but it’s not the only factor that could benefit you when it comes to lowering your utility bills.
By spending less time in the shower, you can reduce the amount of time that the appliance is running, which further helps to reduce your energy consumption.
So there we have it – a handful of simple but effective ways to help you use less energy and in turn reduce your monthly outgoings when at university.
