Saving money on energy bills

10. Green tips to cut gas and electricity bills

Now you have saved money on your energy plans, it’s now time to look at how else you can save money.

You will be amazed at how much money you can save by doing some simple things around the home. Plus, you won’t just save money but will also do your bit for the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Once you read the tips, you will probably be thinking about how obvious they are. However, sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Try them and see how much you save.

1. Use energy saving light bulbs – there’s a bright idea
2. Natural light delight
3. Turn off the light, turn off the light
4. One bulb or two? Or four?
5. Standby for higher energy bills
6. Sleepy savings
7. Savings to make you spin
8. Grade ‘A’ Tip
9. Fridges and cookers don’t mix
10. Wrap up warm
11. Is there anyone at home?

1. Use energy saving light bulbs – there’s a bright idea

• They use up to 80% less electricity than a standard bulb = lower bills and lower CO2 emissions
• Produce as much light as a standard bulb
• Technological developments mean that the range of energy saving light bulbs on the market has dramatically increased in recent years. They now come in all shapes and sizes. You can even get halogen and dimmable ones
• They last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs
• They are a lot cheaper to buy than when they first came out with an average cost of £3
• One energy saving light bulb could save you up to £7 and 26kg of CO2 a year
• Look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo when you buy as it means they meet strict energy efficiency criteria specified by the Energy Saving Trust

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2. Natural light delight

• Natural light is free
• Don’t close curtains too early; make use of the natural light for as long as possible.
• If you are reading try to read in natural light
• Try lighting some candles in the evenings. Not only does it save on electricity costs, it also makes the atmosphere much more relaxing

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3. Turn off the light, turn off the light

• When you leave the room, turn off the light
• We said it twice because it is such a simple way of saving electricity

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4. One bulb or two? Or four?

• Try to use a single bulb light fitting instead of a multi-bulb one
• It will be cheaper and greener to run one bulb than four

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5. Standby for higher energy bills

• Don’t leave appliances on standby
• Turn them off at the unit or at the wall
• Appliances use a substantial amount of energy on standby
• If accessible, turn your microwave off at the wall when you are not using it as the clock uses electricity
• Don’t forget your computer and peripherals such as printers, monitors etc.
• Turn chargers off at the wall. Anything that uses a transformer (a larger plug that tends to get warm when in use) will use energy when not in use and plugged in
• According to energywatch, the average household could save £37 a year by turning things off instead of leaving them on standby

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6. Sleepy savings

• Most new televisions now come equipped with a sleep timer
• If you know you have a habit of falling asleep with the TV on, set the sleep timer and the TV will turn off to standby
• This is still not as good as turning it off at the unit, but is better than it being on all night

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7. Savings to make you spin

• Reduce your washing machine cycle temperature from 60°C to 40°C
• This can save a third of the electricity
• Modern detergents will work just as well at this lower temperature
• Make sure you wash a full load if you can - if you can’t, use a half load or economy cycle
• Don’t hang clothes to dry on radiators
• Hang clothes up on a clothes horse instead of using a tumble dryer
• If you need to use a tumble dryer, wring out or spin dry your clothes before starting them to dry

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8.  Grade ‘A’ Tip

• Buy electrical appliances with a Grade A Energy Efficiency Logo
• This grade of appliance is the most efficient
• Shop around to find the best deals on energy efficient products

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9. Fridges and cookers don’t mix

• Don’t put your fridge next to your cooker (or radiator) as it will lead to an increase in energy consumption

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10. Wrap up warm

• Make sure your house is properly insulated so you can have your heating on less
• Those claiming benefits and the elderly can get an allowance to help with this
• Make sure you keep yourself warm by wearing lots of layers
• If the house gets too hot, turn the heating down instead of opening a window
• Don’t forget to wrap up your hot water tank too. An insulating jacket only costs a few pounds but could save you about £20 a year

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11. Is there anyone at home?

• Work out the times when you are going to be in and therefore need the heating on
• Be realistic enough to be warm but if you are cold, don’t forget to try putting on a jumper first
• Turn your heating down by just 1°C and save up to 10% on your heating bills
• If you’re going away on that winter holiday, leave the thermostat on a low setting to give protection from freezing at minimal cost

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• Next page: Helpful contacts for gas and electricity information
• Previous page: Switching energy companies

Guide contents

1. Energy companies
2. Energy plans – what do they mean?
3. How to read your gas and electricity meters
4. How energy bills are worked out
5. How to read your energy bills
6. Energy payment options – which one is best for you?
7. Dual fuel discount
8. What is Economy 7?
9. Switching energy companies
10. Green tips to cut gas and electricity bills
11. Helpful contacts for gas and electricity information

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