Make some changes and save some money
Looking to cut costs and better manage your finances in the New Year? Start with your energy bills…
Chilly winter days and long, dark nights… it’s well and truly winter. But this year as well as the latest must-have winter knee-high boots, your winter wardrobe might need a couple of extra jumpers thanks to the price of energy.
Energy bills have barely been off the front pages in recent weeks, and let’s face it, we’re all thinking about the cost of energy as we turn up the thermostat and settle down for a night in front of the TV. But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Hannah Darby, from independent energy supplier First Utility, explains that there are loads of simple ways to save energy and money in the winter months. Leaving you with the simple dilemma of what to spend the savings on.
Tame your heating and save 10 per cent - Most people turn their heating off in the summer and then turn it on again round about October time. A simple way to use less energy is – as basic as it seems – just leave it as late as possible to turn the heating on for winter. When you do so, try turning the thermostat down 1°C from your normal temperature.
Use energy efficient light bulbs - Lighting can account for as much as 15 per cent of the average electricity bill, but replacing standard bulbs with energy-efficient ones can save you money. The Energy Saving Trust says that for each bulb you replace you can save £7 a year - for the average family household, that's around £105 off the annual electricity bill.
Check your boiler – If your boiler is more than 10 years old it could be worthwhile replacing it with a new model. A high efficiency condensing boiler could cut your fuel bills by about £200 a year.
Smarten up – look into the latest energy saving gadgets, some of which don’t cost you a thing. First Utility offers all its customers a free smart energy meter, allowing you to see how much electricity you’re using by the half hour. Your usage is displayed in easy to read graphs online, helping you to see how all the small changes you’re making are having an impact on reducing the energy you are using. And that means cheaper bills. Recent research found that 56 per cent of consumers interviewed believed that smart meters and access to energy usage information had led to a change in their behaviour.
Get accurate bills – one common gripe amongst energy customers is that paying a regular quarterly amount means they end up in a situation where the energy companies are sitting on your cash. By using a smart meter you are guaranteed accurate monthly bills, i.e. you will never overpay.
Don't leave the TV on standby – I know you’ve heard it before, but it really does make a difference. This also applies to DVD players, stereos and computers. To cut down on wasted energy, avoid leaving appliances on standby and remember not to leave mobile phones, MP3 players and laptops on charge unnecessarily.
Only use what you need - Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need, but remember to cover the element if you're using an electric kettle. For washing machines, tumble driers and dishwashers always aim for a full load if you can't use a half-load or economy programme.
Don't let your heating escape - Double-glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50 per cent and could reduce your heating bill by up to £40 a year. Just closing your curtains at dusk will stop heat escaping through windows.
Holiday heating plan – When you’re away, set the central heating to come on for an hour or two each day to stop the pipes from freezing sure, but apart from that you’ll need to use very little energy. Some appliances such as the fridge and freezer will need to remain on but you can turn everything else off at the plug socket.
Computer Games Consoles – The latest generation of consoles consume up to 180W of electricity; the equivalent of leaving three 60W bulbs burning and potentially adding £160 per year to the electricity bill. Switch off your games console at the wall when not in use.
White goods – Invest in energy efficient models. These will display the Energy Saving Recommended (ESR) logo. An ESR freezer will save you about £20 a year and an ESR dishwasher also £20 a year.
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