How to save energy outdoors this summer (according to our experts)

How much a BBQ costs to run depends on what BBQ fuel you use. Electric BBQs are cheaper than charcoal and gas BBQs.

Tempted by a new BBQ this summer? It’s worth comparing how much they cost to run depending on their fuel source and whether you’re in Great Britain (GB) or Northern Ireland (NI). Here are the running costs for electric, charcoal and gas BBQs.

• Keep your grill closed while cooking to retain heat.
• Cook your food with a more energy-efficient appliance like an oven and finish it off on the BBQ to get that smoky flavour.
• Clean your BBQ regularly so it doesn’t have to work as hard to cook your food.
• Batch cook your food to make as much use of the heat as you can.

How much a patio heater costs to run depends on the type you have. An electric patio heater is cheaper to run than a fire pit or gas heater.

You might spend the days trying to stay cool in summer, but the evenings can still turn chilly. So, if you’re not ready to call time on your summer party, you may be tempted to get a patio heater to keep things cosy.

Here are the running costs for different types of patio heater:

• Think about whether you really need one in the first place. Some patio heaters aren’t efficient as they warm the outdoor air, which dissipates quickly.
• Put on another layer or grab a blanket. Hotter summer days come with warmer summer nights, so it might not take that much to make you feel cosy in the evening.
• If your outdoor space catches the breeze, consider installing decorative panels to shield yourself from chilly winds.

A hot tub will typically cost between £2 and £8 per use, depending on:

• how big it is
• how well insulated it is
• how exposed it is
• what temperature you set it to

You often see on news websites that retailers offer big discounts on inflatable hot tubs, which sell out in minutes.

Think carefully before you buy, as there are a range of factors that have a sizable impact on a hot tub’s running costs.

• Choose a smaller hot tub, which doesn’t need as much energy to heat up.
• Look for hard-shell hot tubs, which are better insulated than inflatable ones.
• Use a high quality, insulated cover when not in use.
• Position your hot tub somewhere sheltered to protect it from wind and cold weather. This ensures the hot tub doesn’t need to work so hard to heat up.
• Find the lowest comfortable temperature for your hot tub. Even turning it down by one degree can make a difference to your energy use.
• Use eco-mode if your hot tub has one.

If your summer activities involve tending to your garden, we’ve got some tips on how to save water. This will be extra useful if the summer heat causes hosepipe bans in certain areas.

If you’re able to use a hosepipe, consider using a hose attachment to save 1,500 litres of water per year. This is the equivalent of 27 baths full of water.

Better yet, ditch the hosepipe and use a watering can instead. This will save you an extra 2,200 litres of water per year. That’s an extra 40 baths each year.

The best option to save water is a water butt that collects rainwater. You can then use this to fill the watering can instead of the tap. This saves you an additional 1,100 litres of water – another 20 baths’ worth.

Using a water butt is one of the most popular water saving tips we get from our readers. See the full list of water saving tips.

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