Most people are needlessly paying too much for their gas and electricity. Here’s how to save hundreds of pounds on your bills
Compare and switch
It really does pay to compare energy providers and switch to save when necessary. It isn’t as scary as it sounds and it really can save you hundreds a year on household bills. For example, the cheapest available tariff is around £846 a year, compared with the standard tariff of £1254. Visit free, independent price comparison website uswitch.com or consider a fixed tariff. As prices rise, yours will stay the same for a fixed period of time.
Little tricks
Small changes add up to big savings. Try turning your thermostat down by one degree at a time to see if you notice a difference. Invest in draft excluders. Wash your clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40. Turn off unused appliances – and forget about that standby button. Only boil as much water as you need and fill up the dishwasher, to use it sparingly. These simple changes will save pennies that’ll turn to pounds.
Technology is your friend
Installing a smart thermostat makes heating your home more efficient, in ways we’d find difficult to monitor ourselves. The technology understands how long it takes to heat your home and uses that information to heat the right places at the right time. It’s controlled by your phone, which is easy, and it’s estimated that a smart thermostat can save you about £150 a year.
Slash petrol prices
It’s not just in the home where you can save on fuel bills. You can cut your petrol costs in the car. Remove unwanted items in your car as extra weight means petrol is used up faster. Try app Petrol Prices which lists the cheapest fuel stations in your area and sends you updates when the prices suddenly change, so you can bag a deal.
Think water smart
Washing up in a bowl rather than running the tap could save you £25 per year. Buying a more efficient shower head is an investment as your bill could be cut by £75 a year. And you can save an extra £7 per person per year, by cutting just one minute off every shower. Install a shower timer to keep the bathroom hoggers in check.
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