Essential Guide: Ways to reduce your energy bills

by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing Consultant

We all want to save money, right? For some it’s to afford those little luxuries in life, while for others it’s a necessity to get by. Worryingly, surveys show that six million Brits fear they’ll never get rid of their debt and a quarter are struggling to make ends meet each month.

However, there are several ways you can relieve the pressure caused by household bills. Here, we look at the best options to reduce your energy bills:

Replace light bulbs

A very simple and cost-effective way to shave a little bit from your energy bills would be to change your lightbulbs. Did you know an LED light bulb only costs approximately £1.71 to run each year? That means that, compared to traditional bulbs, you could save up to £180 from your energy bills during the bulb’s lifespan.

Even if you have already switched, just remembering to turn your lights off when you aren’t in the room or don’t need them on will keep a surprising number of pennies in your bank instead of your energy supplier’s.

Energy monitor

This handheld or table-top gadget can provide you with key information about just how much energy you are using each day. While this device won’t technically save you money, it gives you the opportunity to keep an eye on your expenditure.

Don’t get smart meters mixed up with energy monitors confused, though. While energy monitors help you to understand your electricity usage, smart meters send this information to your energy provider.

No More Standby

You may think it won’t make a difference, turning off all your gadgets by the plug can save on average £30 per year. This is based on the average home with four occupants now using 13 electronic appliances. For homes with more gadgets, the savings each year can reach £80.

Monitor your laundry

Some people think stuffing their washing machine will cut back on the number of loads required, however, this can be detrimental to your energy usage if you over fill. Be sure to wash your clothes at 30 degrees rather than 40 degrees and you could save up to £52 a year. Also, many utility companies have plans set up to give you discounts for switching your power usage to off-peak times, so it’s certainly worth checking if this affects you.

Double glazing

All properties will lose heat through their windows, but double glazing can limit this considerably, providing great thermal insulation. It’s impossible to put a figure on exactly how much it can save you but depending on your type of home of energy provider, you could shave hundreds of pounds off your annual energy bills.

It’s also important to remember that, while the initial cost may be high, double glazing will increase the overall value of your property.

Cavity wall insulation

It’s worth looking into wall insulation if your house was built before the 1990s. The colder it is outside, the quick heat leaves your property if your walls aren’t insulated, meaning that you will need to keep your heating on longer for it to be effective. While it can be an expensive form of insulation, some people qualify to receive it for free.

Benefit entitlement

Dependent on your age and circumstances, you may be entitled to receive fuel benefits. For those over 61, you will receive an annual tax-free benefit, but many don’t know about a ‘cold weather payment’ that is available. This is paid in the event of exceptionally cold weather – if it drops below zero degrees Celsius for seven days in a row. While they are often automatically provided, you may still need to apply.

Go solar

This renewable energy can reduce your electricity bills considerably but are certainly not a short-term fix. While they could require an expensive outlay, you can save in the long run – and save more the further south you live.

It’s certainly clear that being more conscious of your usage can help keep save money, as can making aesthetic changes to your property. Follow these steps and you’ll have a better chance of spending that money on yourself rather than your energy bills.