10 Tips For Saving Money On Your Energy Bills
Introduction
As the cost of living continues to rise, many UK households are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills. With the average annual energy bill for a UK household coming in at around £2,500, it’s no wonder that people are looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption and save money on electricity and gas bills.
Here Are 10 Tips For Saving Money On Your Energy Bills:
1 – Invest In Energy-Efficient Appliances
Investing in energy-efficient appliances can be an effective way to save electricity and reduce your energy bills over time. Look for appliances with an energy rating of A or above, as these are the most energy-efficient models. Energy-efficient appliances will use less energy and save you money on household bills in the long run.
You should consider the lifetime cost of an appliance, not just the purchase price, to determine its value. Energy-efficient appliances might cost more upfront, but they can save you more money in the long run.
Furthermore, consider buying the right size of an appliance as it can also impact your energy, gas and electricity consumption. For instance, a smaller fridge will use less energy than a bigger one.
2 – Switch To An Energy-Efficient Supplier
Switching to an energy-efficient supplier is an excellent way to save money on your energy bills. When switching suppliers, look for those that offer energy-efficient tariffs and energy-saving measures such as smart meters and provide better energy-saving tips via their app.
Most leading suppliers now offer smart meters, but it’s important to forecast your rates and don’t be fooled by introductory offers when switching suppliers. Often the first 12-24 months will have an appealing offer which then inflates afterwards. Scottish Power is a supplier worth looking into from personal experience.
You can compare the prices and customer service of different energy suppliers through online comparison websites such as Compare The Market. Additionally, you should read customer reviews and ratings to find out about their experiences with energy providers.
Consider whether the energy supplier offers a fixed tariff, which guarantees a set price for a period, or a variable tariff, which can change based on the energy market. Fixed tariffs offer more certainty on your energy bills, but they may not be the cheapest option.
3 – Take Regular Meter Readings
Taking regular meter readings can help you to keep track of your energy usage and identify areas where you could save money. By monitoring your energy usage, you can identify areas where you could reduce your consumption and save money on your energy bills.
You should aim to take a meter reading every month and keep track of the results to identify any spikes in energy usage if you don’t have a smart meter. Additionally, you can use online tools provided by your energy supplier to monitor your energy usage and track your bills.
By doing this, you can identify areas where you can reduce your own energy use and consumption and save money. However, you are much better off asking for a smart meter if you haven’t done so already.
4 – Use Energy-Saving Lightbulbs
Using energy-saving lightbulbs is an easy way to reduce your energy consumption and save you money. Energy-saving lightbulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer.
Most of the domestic light bulbs on sale today are now LED as Incandescent and traditional halogen are now obsolete. However, there are still millions of homes still using them. If you have a smart metre you can physically see a drop in daily spending if you do a side-by-side comparison.
The cost of LED is now pretty much the same as traditional lighting so the return on investment is quite a quick turnaround. When choosing energy-saving lightbulbs, consider the brightness and colour of the light as well as the energy efficiency as you can often buy the wrong colour temperature.
As a guide: halogen is warm white (2800k). If you wish to stick to warm white, choose either 2700k or 3000k in LED (this is the closest colour to halogen). You have the option to choose a cooler white if desired which is 4000 – 6000k.
5 – Install a Smart Meter
Installing a smart meter can help you to monitor your energy usage and identify areas where you could save money. Smart meters provide real-time information on your energy usage, allowing you to see exactly how much energy you are using and when.
Additionally, smart meters can help you to identify any appliances or behaviours that are using excessive energy. Modern meters have red, amber and green indicators to show you how much energy you are using to help identify when and where consumption is high.
By identifying these, you can take steps to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills. A good starting point is to avoid using your tumble dryer and try to dry clothes naturally. You can now buy heated clothes horses which use far less energy than a tumble dryer for example.
Furthermore, some energy providers offer smart tariffs, which offer cheaper rates during off-peak periods to reduce energy consumption.
6 – Reduce Your Heating Bills
Reducing your heating bills can be a significant way to save money on your energy bills. You can do this by turning down your thermostat, installing heating controls, and insulating your home.
When it comes to heating controls, you can install a smart thermostat or a room thermostat, which helps regulate the temperature of your home (think of it like the climate control in your car). Additionally, installing radiator valves can help control the heat in each room, so you don’t need to heat rooms you’re not using.
When it comes to insulation, consider insulating your loft, walls, and floors, and also your hot water tank and hot water cylinder if you have one. Insulation helps to prevent heat loss in your home and reduces the need to use more energy to keep your home warm.
You can also consider upgrading your boiler to a more energy-efficient one. A new combi boiler, for example, can save you up to £315 per year on your energy bills. This controls your central heating and hot water in one unit.
Modern homes all use combi boilers but there are still many homes without them. Some companies offer payment plans to spread the costs over longer periods if you can’t afford to do it in one. The government also has grant support schemes where you can apply to get help with covering the costs Here.
7 – Consider Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy sources like solar panels and heat pumps are quite controversial but they can be an excellent way to reduce your energy bills and carbon emissions. Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight and can be installed on your roof but opinions are divided on whether they are worth it in the UK where sun exposure is limited to a few months a year.
They are a great way to generate your own energy in the summer but not so much in autumn and winter. Heat pumps are another renewable energy source that can be used to heat your home but again, they can be controversial on whether they are worth it.
They work by extracting heat from the cold air, or ground and using it to heat your home. Although they can be expensive to install, they can save you money in the long run. Conduct your own research and consider whether they appeal to you or not. You can begin your research by checking out this article by Greenmatch Here.
8 – Use Electrical Appliances Efficiently
Using electrical appliances efficiently can help you to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills. For example, you can save energy by only using the washing machine and tumble dryer when you have a full load. Many households do too many cycles a week when you can typically half the number of times the washing machine is used.
Furthermore, using a lower temperature setting of 30 degrees on your washing machine can also save you energy as opposed to a 40-degree wash without affecting the cleaning results. Sometimes you can get away with washing at 20 degrees if clothes only need a light cleaning.
When it comes to cooking, you can save energy by using a lid on your saucepan and using the right size hob for the size of the pan and vice versa for the amount you are cooking. Using a huge pan for small amounts of food is only going to cost more energy in the long run.
You’ve probably seen the hype around air fryers lately. Well, there’s a good reason why! They cook in half the time and consume about 60% less electricity than an oven. In less than 24 months of using a premium Air Fryer, it should pay for itself in savings over conventional oven usage.
Additionally, turning off electrical appliances at the wall can save you energy, even when they are on standby. Millions of homes still fail to do this regularly but it can make a huge difference in your annual energy bills.
9 – Take Advantage of Energy Efficiency Grants
Energy efficiency grants are available to homeowners and tenants to help them make energy-efficient improvements to their homes. You can find out more via the gov website Here.
The Energy Saving Trust provides a range of grants and support for energy-efficient improvements like cavity wall insulation, double glazing, and installing solar panels as we briefly touched upon. You just need to conduct thorough research on whether it appeals to you or not.
Additionally, some energy providers offer grants and discounts on energy prices for customers who make energy-efficient improvements to their homes. It’s a reward scheme for doing your bit and modernising your home to be as eco-friendly as possible. Carbon footprint reduction is the priority for governments across the world, not just in the UK.
10 – Consider Demand Flexibility Services
Demand flexibility services are a new way to save money on your energy bills by reducing your energy consumption during peak demand periods. Energy providers offer incentives for customers who can reduce their energy consumption during these periods.
For example, you might be able to receive a discount on your energy bills if you reduce your energy consumption during peak demand periods.
Demand flexibility services require the use of a smart meter and your supplier has this scheme available. You will need to apply or be invited to be enrolled on the plan but providing you have a good track record controlling your energy usage you should be approved.
The likes of British Gas have this service available in partnership with the National Grid called Peak Save whereby you’ll receive credit towards paying your bills if you can reduce your consumption in peak periods by 30%.
For example: having showers in the evening or putting the dishwasher on early morning are all ways of taking part. It only runs from December to March though. You can find out more about this service Here.
Think Outside the Box
While the tips mentioned above are all great ways to save money on your energy bills, there are some areas that people may not consider. For example, using cold water to rinse dishes instead of hot water can help reduce your energy consumption, as it does not require your boiler to heat the water.
Additionally, using plug-in electric heaters when working from home can be a cost-effective solution, as they can heat a single room more efficiently. The biggest expense for millions of homes is central heating, so it makes sense to avoid using it if you can.
Other areas to consider include making sure all the lights are off when leaving a room, turning off the TV instead of leaving it on standby, and installing a low-flow showerhead to reduce the amount of hot water you use.
Finally, it’s worth noting that reducing your energy consumption not only saves you money on your energy bills but also helps to reduce your carbon footprint. By making small changes to your daily routine, you can contribute to a more sustainable energy future for us all which will have a positive impact on reductions in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many ways to save money on your energy bills, from investing in energy-efficient appliances to taking regular meter readings. By reducing your energy consumption and using energy-saving measures like smart meters and renewable energy sources, you can save money and reduce your carbon emissions (especially in the winter months).
Additionally, taking advantage of energy efficiency grants and demand flexibility services can help you to make energy-efficient improvements to your home and reduce your energy bills. With a little effort and investment, you can significantly reduce your energy costs and make your home more sustainable.
