Energy Saving Tips

Energy Saving Tips

If you're looking to save energy at home and reduce the cost of your energy bills, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Our energy saving tips will help you to identify areas in your home or aspects of your living habits where you can start to make changes easily and reduce your energy costs.

We’re all responsible for the energy we use in our homes.

Whether you’re a homeowner, private or social renter, student, or you live at home with your parents, there are many things you can do to reduce how much energy you use and how much is spent.

Take a look at our quick tips and see if you’re saving as much energy as you could be.

Switch energy provider for a cheaper deal

Many people stay on the same tariff or with the same energy supplier for years, without shopping around to see if they could be getting a better deal elsewhere. By switching tariffs or suppliers, you could save hundreds of pounds on your fuel bill.

Most people shop around for their car insurance, so why pay more than you have to for your energy?

Shopping around for your energy supplier could save you around £200. we've made it easy for you to see how much you could save with the "Money Advice Online Energy Switch" service. You can check online how much you can save by clicking here or if you prefer to speak with someone we have a dedicated team to talk you through your options. You can call the Money Advice Online Energy Switch team free on 0800 088 2208.

To make sure you get the best deal, you’ll need to know:

• The name of your current supplier
• The name of your current tariff, usually found on your bill
• The amount of energy you use
• How you currently pay, and would like to pay with a new supplier
• Your postcode

If you're happy with your current energy supplier, you can still make savings on your bill with some providers by switching to direct debit payments.

Best ways to save energy

Once you have made sure you're on the best deal for your energy, the best way to save more is to use less energy around your home.

This doesn’t mean doing without - you can waste less by being energy efficient. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that the average home in the UK could save up to £130 per year - and avoid emitting 500kg of carbon dioxide - simply by taking energy saving steps.

Be energy efficient

Little things can make a big difference when it comes to reducing the amount of energy we use. Switching to LED light bulbs, will on average save over £100 per year. Simply LED has an online saving calculator to show you how much you could save, click here

Switch off devices on standby

You can save around £30 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.

Almost all electrical and electronic appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. It's tough to remember to switch things off all the time, so a great investment to save money is a standby saver which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go.

Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about. Some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.

Save up to £170 a year on your shower

If you’ve got a shower that takes hot water straight from your boiler or hot water tank (rather than an electric shower), fit a water efficient shower head. This will reduce your hot water usage while retaining the sensation of a powerful shower.

A water efficient shower head could save a four person household (eg a family of four or even a shared student flat) around £67 a year on gas for water heating, as well as a further £100 on water bills if they have a water meter.

Fit draft excluders

Unless your home is very new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney.

DIY draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £200, but can save up to £25 to £35 a year on energy bills.

Turn off your lights

Turn your lights off when you’re not using them. If you switch a light off for just a few seconds, you will save more energy than it takes for the light to start up again, regardless of the type of light. This will save you around £15 on your annual energy bills.

Control your central heating

More than half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. Having a room thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves installed could save you between £80 and £165 a year. Even turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save between £85 and £90 a year.

Check what grants you may qualify for.

You should also check if you qualify for the Government's free boiler grant, which enables old, in-efficient heating boilers to be replaced completely free of charge.
Read more...

You may also qualify for a £140 Government grant to help with electricity bills?
Read more...

Have you received you Government Electricity Rebate?
Read more...

• Last updated 11 October 2018

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