I’m an energy expert, my little-known tricks could save you £300 on your bill
AS summer approaches and the days get shorter, many people are concerned about their bills in the coming months.
Ofgem has already announced a new price cap that will come into effect from October 1 until New Year’s Eve.
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This automatically means a 10% increase and adds approximately €12 to your monthly bill, even if you make no changes to your consumption.
Daniel McCowan, an energy expert at Green Improve, warns that UK households are likely to use more energy during the colder months, leading to significantly higher bills.
“Given increased energy consumption during colder periods and the new energy price cap coming into effect in October, I wouldn’t be surprised to see energy bills double or even triple compared to the summer months,” Daniel warned.
The energy expert also gave us some tips on how to save energy in every room and thus keep our energy bills low.
Read more about energy bills
Daniel advised: “You can significantly reduce your energy bill by making small changes to your habits.
“Given the higher energy price cap, a typical UK household could save around £300 in the last quarter of the year by implementing these tips,” he says.
BATHROOM
By taking shorter showers you can significantly reduce your water heating costs.
In addition, installing a water-saving shower head can help you save on hot water without compromising your shower experience.
In addition, it is important to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and shaving. And make sure you do not leave any lights on when you are not using the toilet.
KITCHEN
The kitchen is also often the culprit when it comes to energy consumption.
However, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your energy bill.
What help is available for my energy bill?
THERE are several ways to get help paying your energy bills if you are struggling financially.
If you get into debt, you can always contact your supplier to ask if they can offer you a payment plan before purchasing a prepaid meter.
This means that you pay off your debt in installments, spread over a certain period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan that you cannot afford, contact him or her again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy companies offer subsidy schemes for customers who have difficulty paying their bills.
However, eligibility criteria vary from provider to provider and the amount you can get will depend on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills could receive grants of up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers assistance through its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power are also offering grants to struggling customers.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on additional help and protection because they do not register with the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service provides support to vulnerable households, such as the elderly and the sick. Some of the benefits are that you will be warned in advance of a power outage, that you will receive free gas safety checks and that you will receive extra support if you are struggling.
Contact your energy company to ask if you qualify.
Use lids on pots and pans to retain heat and cook food faster. Avoid preheating the oven unless absolutely necessary and use the air fryer instead when possible.
Make sure the dishwasher is completely full when you use it. Unplug appliances that you are not using. Even when they are turned off, they still use energy.
Don’t fill the kettle to the brim if you only want to make one cup of tea and make sure all your appliances are working optimally.
Sometimes it may be better to invest in a new refrigerator if your old refrigerator often forms ice and you cannot defrost it that often.
LIVING ROOM
Even when we are sitting comfortably in the living room, we can reduce our energy consumption with a few tips.
Lower the blinds to prevent drafts and keep the living room warmer.
When using your heating system, set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and avoid extreme settings.
Unplug electronic devices such as TVs, game consoles and phone chargers when not in use. This will prevent excessive power consumption.
