Cost Of Living Helper || Utilities

Utility prices have increased to eye watering levels, one of the quickest and easiest things you can do is check your tariff and compare with other suppliers to see if you can save. A great place to check is with Uswitch.com

Also consider whether a fixed or variable tarriff is best for you, if you are considering a fixed tariff please bear in mind the length of your tariff and that prices may come down but your tariff would remain the same.

Is your home energy efficient? There are many grants available for home owners for things such as cavity wall insulation, for more information visit UK energy support

Energy saving tips:

Switch off standby

You can save around £60 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode. Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. You may want to think about getting a standby saver or smart plug that allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go. Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about. Some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.

Turn off lights

Turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This will save you around £25 a year on your annual energy bills. Replacing all the lights in your home with LED bulbs could help you save even more!

Draught-proof windows and doors

Unless your home is very new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney. Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £270, but it can save around £58 a year on energy bills. DIY draught proofing can be much cheaper.

Careful with your washing

You can save around £30 a year on your energy bill just by using your washing machine more carefully: Use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures. Reduce your washing machine use by one run per week for a year.

Avoid the tumble dryer

Avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes: dry clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather to save £60 a year.

Fill your dishwasher

Only run your dishwasher when it is full to reduce the amount of water you use. Reducing your dishwasher use by one run per week for a year could save you £15.

Be savvy in the kitchen

Kettles are one of the most used appliances in the kitchen. But many of us will admit that we at least occasionally boil the kettle with more water than we’re going to use. Avoid overfilling the kettle and save yourself £12 a year on your electricity bill.

Spend less time in the shower

Keeping your shower time to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £75 a year on their energy bills.

Swap your bath for a shower

Some of us might enjoy a long soak in the bath, but swapping just one bath a week with a 4-minute shower could save you £17 a year on your energy bills.

Top up the insulation

Effective insulation of your hot water cylinder is important: even if you have thin spray foam or a loose 25mm jacket, you can benefit from increasing the insulation to a British Standard Jacket 80mm thick, saving £50 a year in the process. Insulating your water tank, pipes and radiators is a quick and easy way to save money on your bills.

There are cash payments available to offset the extra energy costs for certain vulnerable groups;

The Winter Fuel Payments (amounts range from £100 to £300 towards your heating bills if you were born before 26 September 1955)

The Warm Home Discount scheme (discount of £140 off your electricity bill between October and March)

Cold Weather Payment (£25.00 a day for any seven-day period of freezing weather between 1 November and 31 March)

If you are on benefits you may be entitled to what is called a social tarriff
which are discounted broadband and mobile deals to find out more information please visit Ofcom