How to save money at home in Italy: 6 useful tips

The rising prices of many household expenses in Italy, with electricity and gas being the most notable, make it necessary to take action at home to keep costs down. The home improvement experts at Habitissimo have shared their tips and ideas for saving money that can be applied throughout the year. These 6 useful tips on how to save money at home in Italy include solutions that also involve adopting a healthier lifestyle and a reduced environmental impact.

Reduce fixed expenses

To contain household expenses at the beginning of the year, it is time to review fixed costs. A good place to begin is with subscriptions that need to be reviewed. If it is a service that you do not use or don't use often, it may be time to cancel it, thus avoiding unnecessary payments. In other cases, however, such as electricity, gas or telephone bills, one can change the options by opting for something more convenient and cheaper.

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Saving on lighting

Since spending money on electricity is among the largest price increases in Italy, it is worthwhile limiting the consumption needed for lighting in the home. Replacing halogen or fluorescent light bulbs with energy-saving LEDs allows considerable savings over time, while also achieving better efficiency. In addition, solutions can be adopted to exploit natural light as much as possible, such as the use of light curtains to promote daylight in the home.

Use appliances conscientiously

Household appliances can have a major impact on energy consumption. Switching them on preferably at the lowest tariff times is certainly a smart choice to save money throughout the year, it just requires a little organisation. Newer appliances allow you to programme the switching on, making it easier. Replacing old energy-hungry appliances with the latest energy-saving versions is also a good decision to save money in the long run.

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Managing temperature as required

The expense of heating can be a sore point in the household budget for those with an autonomous system. Setting the thermostat to a lower temperature is an effective move to limit consumption, especially for rooms that are less used or when the house is empty during the day. During the night, on the other hand, the heating can be switched off if the house has been heated during the afternoon. The heat remains and during the night it is preferable to have the temperature a few degrees lower for a good night's rest.

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Improving insulation

In order to save money on air conditioning and heating in your home, good thermal insulation is essential. Measures such as installing a thermal insulation coat or replacing windows and doors can radically change the situation, resulting in a healthier environment at the same time. Making an analysis of the building's heat dispersion through a thermographic analysis is the first step in understanding how to intervene in the most appropriate manner.

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Do not waste water

Reducing water consumption is an environmentally responsible behaviour, but it is also a habit that saves money on your water bill. To make a big change you need to adapt your behaviour, starting with avoiding running water from the tap unnecessarily when doing activities such as brushing your teeth or shaving, or using dishwashers and washing machines only when fully loaded and with eco programmes. There are also solutions that help curb water waste such as installing aerators that limit the flow of water and thermostatic mixers.

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