Gadget You've Never Heard That Everyone Should Have That Can Save You $40 Off Bills
A CHEAP gadget you've probably never heard of could save up to £40 a year on a crucial household bill.
Millions of households could reduce their energy bills by switching to a little-known type of shower head.
Aerated or regulated shower heads use water more efficiently than conventional types.
They work by reducing the amount of water pumped out to seven or eight liters per minute, while a normal shower head has a flow rate of 15 liters per minute.
So if you switch to a vented shower head, you will reduce your hot water consumption and save up to €40 annually.
The advice comes as consumer champion Dom Littlewood backs the Government's 2024 'It All Adds Up' campaign.
The campaign is part of an ongoing initiative to help Brits save money on their energy bills and includes a video explaining how people can make their homes more efficient through small changes.
In the video, Mr Littewood and an energy expert from B&Q visit Energy Street (a real street in Britain) talking to residents about their lifestyles and their biggest concerns regarding energy consumption.
The film highlights practical, cost-effective solutions for every household
Haz, B&Q's energy expert, said: “You can do something very simple and install an energy efficient shower head.
Commenting on this tip, Dom said, “Installing an energy efficient shower head is actually a really nice way to improve efficiency because it reduces the amount of water used in the shower by aerating it.”
You can find vented shower heads at most hardware stores, and prices start around $15.
However, thousands of households may be able to get one completely free.
There is a website called savemoneysavewater.co.uk which compiles all the freebies available from water companies across the country, including aerated shower heads, which you can get for free.
Once you visit the website, you will be required to complete a short survey about your water consumption.
You are asked how many people live in your house, how many showers you take as a household per week and whether you do so water your garden.
Once you complete the survey, you will be redirected to your water supplier's website to claim the free prize.
One important thing to note is that you may not be able to get a free shower head if you live in a certain area because not all water companies offer it.
Anglian, Essex & Suffolk, Northumbrian or Thames water are not part of the promotion of savewatersavemoney.com.
That said, you can sometimes get the freebies if you go directly to your water company's websites.
You can also get other water saving devices for free, such as buffalo bags, which will save you about one to two liters of water with each flush.
How else can I save on my energy bill?
If you don't have a smart meter and haven't yet sent recent meter readings to your supplier, it's worth submitting one now.
An updated meter reading means that your supplier has a more accurate picture of your consumption, so that he can bill you more accurately.
Several cheap and easy ways exist to heat your home and reduce electricity costs.
For every degree you increase your thermostat temperature, it is estimated that your heating bill will increase by approximately 10%. So make sure you have the right balance.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends setting your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, which is usually between 18°C and 21°C.
You can also reduce the flow temperature of your boiler, as well as the thermostatic radiator valves in some rooms. This way you can save around €180 on your energy bill every year.
A couple managed to save £400 on their EDF energy bill by switching off their heating element.
According to Nesta, adding loft insulation and switching to a smart meter could save a household a further £230 a year.
It is also important to ensure that there are no drafts when the boiler is running.
Ventilation is good for health and air quality, but it is the first place where heat escapes.
If there is a draft, get some weatherstripping and seal the hole.
Also make sure your windows are closed before the sun sets.
Consider which rooms in your house need heating.
You won't be using them all 24/7, so make sure the heating is turned off in unoccupied rooms.
The best part about all these changes is that they won't cost you a cent, because they're free.