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Reducing your energy bills
Many people today want to take practical steps to reduce their personal carbon footprint, and in doing so it’s not just the environment that you’ll be helping. A few simple changes at home can save you money on your bills, and help save the planet.
Did you know that we in the UK waste around £6 million worth of energy every year? This means every £3 you spend on heating your home, £1 is wasted through poor energy efficiency.*
1. Switching supplier
This is one of the simplest ways of saving money. Many people have had the same supplier for years and are worried about the hassle of switching, but it is actually very simple. Using our Comparison Calculator you can compare deals and find the one that best suits your needs. You can also switch on our website, which only takes around five minutes, and we’ll take care of all the paperwork for you.
More than four million people switched their energy supplier last year and cut their bills by around £150 each according to Ofgem..
2. Water crisis
According to the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, simply taking showers instead of baths saves you a whopping 40 per cent less water.
If you have more bedrooms than people in your home you could save over £200 by switching to a water meter so you only pay for the water that you actually use. If you're unsure contact your water company and ask them to provide you with a ‘water meter calculator’. With an accurate comparison this will make it easy for you to work out if you could save.
3. Install a water tank
They will only cost around £10-£20 but you could save up to £25 a year on your fuel expenses simply by installing one.
4. Turn it down
According to The Energy Saving Trust, turning your thermostat down by a mere one degree centigrade in your home can reduce your energy use by 6%.
This could save you £30 a year and best of all, you are unlikely to notice the change.
5. Replace your boiler
After 15 years, your boiler starts to lose efficiency, wasting gas and money. Look into getting it replaced, and opt for an “A” rated one when you do so. It will use less energy and be more environmentally friendly. An energy efficient update would save you about £90 a year on your fuel bills.
British Gas offer boiler deals, so check out their website, www.britishgas.co.uk.
6. Lag your boiler
Spending just £10 on a boiler jacket, and £3 a meter to lag the pipe from your boiler to the hot water tank could save you between £15 and £20 a year. (FoE, 2006)
7. Bleed your radiators
Releasing trapped air from your radiators is quick and easy and makes them perform better, saving you money on wasted energy.
8. Insulate your home
Installing loft insulation can save you up to 25 per cent off your annual heating bill. (FoE, 2006). Installing 10” of loft insulation could cost you around £230 however by doing so you could save between £180 to £220 every year there after.
As this can be expensive, it’s always a good idea to check with your local authority to see if they’re offering any grants towards the cost.
9. Change your bulbs
The quickest way to energy saving is energy efficient light bulbs. Costing around £3.50 and they typically last 12 times longer (Phillips Lighting) than ordinary bulbs. Most crucially they could save you a staggering £9 per year per bulb (Green Peace).
With the average home containing 17 incandescent bulbs you could save up to £153 by swapping them over.
10. Switch off
According to Friends of the Earth (FoE) 2006, your appliances still use around 70 per cent of their usual energy when left on standby, so by turning them off; it will trim your energy use by 1.3% and save you around £25 a year.
11. Unplug chargers
Leaving your phone, laptop or iPod charger plugged in when you’re not using them wastes around £10 a year for each appliance.
12. Triple A your appliance
Watch out for the Triple A energy rating logo on washing machines, fridge and freezers. Replacing an old appliance with a AAA rated one could save up to £45 a year, costing you less to run as well as producing fewer carbon emissions.
Fridges and freezers should also be kept at least an inch away from the wall to allow the air to circulate behind them. This stops them over-heating and working too hard.
13. Get some gadgets
Buying “green” products can save more money and energy. For example, Eco Balls – named “one of the 10 best green household products” by The Independent – replace traditional washing tablets and last up to 1,000 washes. You can also buy wind-up radios, solar powered lights and water powered clocks. See the British Gas website for more clever contraptions.
14. Talk to us
For more advice, price comparisons or to switch energy supplier, contact us, and see if we can save you money.
(Source: Britishgasnews.co.uk*; Thisismoney.co.uk; Mail on Sunday; sheffield.gov.uk; Friends of the Earth; Phillips Lighting; Green Peace)
