How to save money on your energy bills this month.
Has this April’s energy price hike got you worrying? We hope that these ideas will help you both save money and potentially increase the value of your property…
It has been reported that up to 22 million households could see their bills amount to £693 higher than expected this year as a new energy tariff comes into play. April 1st saw an increase of 54% in rates across the UK – a rise that will hit even the deepest pockets. Whilst switching to solar panels and changing every single light bulb in our homes to LED can make a huge difference, there are also some smaller changes we can make that needn’t cost the earth.*
Turn appliances off standby mode
If default energy tariffs are set to rise by 12.5% according to Ofgem, small habit changes can make a big difference. The experts at Energy Saving Trust** say that it is possible to save approximately £55 a year by turning all appliances off standby mode when they’re not in use. There are new gadgets including standby savers and smart plugs, which allow you to turn off all of your appliances in one go***.
Energy efficient appliances
If you’re replacing an appliance, think about choosing the most energy-efficient model (all brand new appliances will have an energy efficient graph sticker on them, with A+ being the most energy efficient you can choose). Energy-efficient washing machines, depending on size, can save you between £15 and £70 a year. Also, swapping the tumble dryer for drying clothes outside in the warmer weather can save a lot of money.
Invest in cavity wall and loft insulation
According to the experts, laying loft insulation to a thickness of 270mm in a non-insulated three-bedroom semi could shave £135 a year off of your energy bills. It means less heat is lost through the roof. Similarly, laying cavity wall insulation can save up to £155 a year and solid-wall insulation could save you £210 in the same type of house (it is important to just be aware that not all properties are suitable for cavity wall insulation). ****
Swap single for double or triple glazing
You can also reduce heat loss through your windows by replacing single glazing with double glazing (or installing secondary glazing). Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards might set you back around £200, but can help you save on energy bills. If you draught-proof the property yourself, it can be much cheaper.
Replace your gas boiler
When was the last time you checked your boiler? Your heating is responsible for more than half of your energy bill each year so it’s worth having a look. Replacing an old, inefficient gas boiler with a newer more energy-efficient one could make a big difference to your bill. According to the experts, if you upgrade from a G rated boiler to an A rated one, you could save £215 per year. *****
Replace lightbulbs
Energy-saving light bulbs can help you to cut your energy bills easily. An LED light bulb costs around £1.71 a year to run. Over its lifetime, it could cut up to £180 from your energy bills, compared to an old-style bulb. Remember, energy-saving light bulbs also last longer than traditional ones. If you’re looking to save on bills, it’s certainly worth looking into. ******
Use less hot water
We all love a long shower – apparently, the average shower time is 9 minutes, but did you know that spending just two minutes less in your regular bathing routine can actually save £8 per person per year? ******* Set a timer so you know how much hot water you’re using and how long you’re spending in there. When you’re doing the dishes, washing up in a bowl, rather than under a running tap, will save you quite a bit of money.
Will energy prices continue to go up?
It’s unclear whether the price hikes will continue in the long term – global events and Government policy are developing day-to-day. The rates are set to be assessed again in October and if supply prices remain as they are, experts suggest customer’s bills could go up by another 20%.*
* www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/02/energy-bills-set-to-rocket-for-millions-as-ofgem-confirms-new-pr/
** https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy
*** www.thegreenage.co.uk/standby-savers-saving-you-energy-in-your-home/
**** https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/roof-and-loft-insulation/
***** https://greenbusinesswatch.co.uk/green-building/calculate-boiler-savings.php
