Be energy efficient
If you're feeling the pinch, follow these energy saving tips from the Energy Saving Trust website. They could help cut your bills as well as reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
- Remember to switch off
Switch off your appliances completely - not leaving them on standby could save you up to £37 per year.
- Energy saving lightbulbs
Fit all the lights in your home with energy saving lightbulbs and you could save up to £50 per year. You can buy energy saving lightbulbs from all major retailers at reasonable prices.
- Turn your heating down
Turn your thermostat down by 1°C and save up to £65 on your heating bill.
- Energy saving glazing
By fitting energy saving glazing, you could save around £140 per year in heating costs.
- Insulate your home
Insulate cavity walls, lofts, tanks and pipes. Use draft excluders and curtains to stop heat escaping.
- Energy efficient appliances
Choose energy efficient appliances when it's time to replace your old ones. Look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo to find the most energy efficient products on the market.
- Consider a condensing boiler
These boilers are the most energy efficient on the market and upgrading to a high efficiency condensing boiler could save around £170 per year.
- Water
Watch your water to cut heating bills. Take showers instead of baths - a typical bath uses around twice as much water as a shower. You could waste over 5,000 litres of water a year through dripping taps - so get these fixed too.
Other tips to cut your bills
- Switch to Direct Debit and paperless billing
The cheapest way to pay your energy bills is by monthly Direct Debit. Many energy companies offer discounts to customers who agree to pay this way. Another way to cut down on your costs is with paperless billing. Speak to your energy company to see if they provide discounts.
- Take regular meter readings
If your gas and electricity meters aren't read regularly, bills based on estimated readings mean you could end up paying for much more gas or electricity than you actually use. Reading your meter regularly and updating your energy supplier also allows you to keep track of what you're using and cut back if necessary.
More information
Get the latest tips and advice on how to save money and energy in your home, visit www.gov.uk
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