Feeling energized to save on your energy bills? From the size of your home to when it was built and the number of people living in it, there are several factors influencing how much you pay year-on-year for your utilities. Thankfully, there are several ways to save too.
Managing finances is a priority for most of us, and utilities will be a key part of most budgets. The government regulator for gas and electricity Ofgem has revealed that the average household energy spend is around £1254 per year, with the cheapest coming in around £873.
To help you bring your spend a little closer to the lower end, here are five ways to make savings on your utilities.
- Switch providers
Have you forgotten how long you’ve been with your energy provider for? Most new customer deals run for three years or less, after which you’re likely to have been automatically placed onto default tariffs. These tariffs are rarely the cheapest, so it’s worth shopping around on price comparison sites.
Switching providers could save you a significant amount of money, and it’s easier than you might think. You won’t be cut off during switchover either, so there’s no need to crash on a friend’s sofa for a week!
- Turn down the heat
There are lots of ways to save on heating your home. Installing a new boiler or improving your insulation are both likely to involve some initial outlay but will make a big difference in the long run.
Quicker and cheaper ways to beat the heat include draught-proofing doors and windows and simply turning your thermostat down by one degree. There’s no need to go cold turkey, but you’ll be surprised how much you could save.
- Level up your lighting
Most of us will know someone who’s guilty of leaving lights on around the home. Changing this behavior could help to shave a few extra pounds off your electricity bill however while installing LED bulbs is a bright idea too.
Energy-saving bulbs can last significantly longer than regular bulbs, and usually, only cost marginally more.
- Make your home watertight
Is your water bill making your eyes water? From fitting a more efficient showerhead to timing how long you spend soaking, there are several everyday adjustments you can make to cut down on your spend.
Only boiling the amount of water you need in the kettle can help you cut down on both wasted water and the energy required to heat it, while filling up a washing up bowl instead of running constant hot water can help you save too.
- Get smart with smart tech
Advances in technology are constantly changing the way we live, and smart home devices are no exception. The most obvious example is a smart meter, which can track and display your energy usage before your very eyes, giving you an accurate idea of if and when you need to cut back.
You can also use a smart thermostat to only heat the rooms you’re using, while many connected devices can be turned on and off from your phone.
Are you ready to bring down your bills? By trying out even just one or two of the ideas above, you could be on the way to making a significant saving.