Energy costs are rising and taking a bigger bite from household budgets each year. Fortunately, there are steps you may take today to help maximize each pound spent on energy in your home and to curb your energy usage.
Switching Providers
In the UK, domestic energy consumers may choose to purchase their gas and electricity from a variety of energy suppliers. Energy suppliers are competing for your business, so shopping around for the best deals makes sense and could save you loads of money each year. It is important to realize there is paperwork involved in making a switch, as well as communication with the various providers, but do not let that deter you. Switching your energy provider could be a smart change your budget needs.
Dual Fuel
If your home uses both electricity and gas, it is worth investigating whether you would save money by having a single provider for both fuels. Often, energy suppliers will offer you a substantial discount if you sign up to a dual fuel tariff with them. This usually saves you money on your monthly bills or could net you an annual discount off your energy bills.
In addition to the savings, you will receive bills from only one energy supplier and some suppliers even offer a combined bill for your gas and electricity. This is more convenient for you, since you are only tracking a single bill and making a single payment.
Should you have an outage or problem or need to make an inquiry about your bill or service, with a dual fuel supplier you have only a single point of contact. Dealing with a problem once is always better than doing it twice. A single provider could greatly simplify your interactions with your energy supplier.
Comparison Websites
Energy suppliers in your area may be compared via a plethora of energy comparison websites. These websites claim you could save from £140 to £380 per year on average simply by switching energy suppliers. You provide the site with your postal code and answer questions concerning your current energy provider, the type of fuel currently used, your average usage and the sort of tariffs you are on. Most sites will compare either gas or electricity alone or will give you dual fuel comparisons.
The websites collect information about your needs and quiz you about the sort of tariffs you would like to consider and how you would like to pay each month. You receive information about rates from different providers in your area so you can make an educated decision as to whether there is a benefit in switching suppliers.
Some sites will even complete the paperwork to make the switch for you, so you do not have to deal with filling out forms or spending time ringing suppliers and waiting to speak with someone about the switch.
Regular Meter Readings
It is a good idea to get your gas and electricity meters read regularly. If they are not, bills may be based on estimated readings and you could end up paying for much more gas or electricity than you actually use in a month. You may read your own meter regularly and update your energy supplier with the information. In that way, you are able to keep track of your usage and make cutbacks when necessary.
Cutting Energy Usage
Even if you decide to stick with your current forms of fuel and your old, familiar provider, there are steps that may be taken each day to cut your energy usage.
Turn down the thermostat on your heating system by 1°C and set your water heater cylinder thermostat at around 60°C.
Install a programmer on your thermostat and set it to cut energy usage when no one is home.
Close the curtains when night falls to trap heat in the house. Check doors and windows for draughts and repair any leaks.
Replace high-energy incandescent bulbs with energy-saving fluorescents. Though the efficient bulbs cost more, they will more than pay for themselves in cost savings.
Turn off lights when leaving a room.
Fill up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher before running whenever possible. Use a half-load or economy setting when possible.
Fix dripping hot water faucets.
Do not leave electronic appliances in ’standby’ mode. Also, do not leave cell phones or laptops on charge unnecessarily and unplug wall chargers when not in use.
Get an energy survey of your home for a full report of what changes could be made to make your home more energy efficient.
There are many ways to cut both energy costs and usage and one or more are bound to fit your needs and your situation. Do not wait for another high energy bill before you make changes in your energy plans – start saving money today.
