8 smart ways to keep your energy costs down

DIALLING down your energy costs could be more of a challenge this winter, as the government’s cap on energy bills is being lifted in October.

Oil and gas production costs have soared since much of the world has emerged from lockdown, and experts predict that higher bills are on the way as these fees inevitably get passed on to the consumer.

6

So, there’s never been a better time to be smart and start saving energy – and cash if you can! If you’re on a tight budget, getting a smart meter is a great way to start.

Research shows that 67 per cent of people with smart meters are more conscious of their energy use, while 75 per cent of people with smart meters have a better idea of their energy costs.

Introduce some clever hacks around the home, and these small differences will soon add up to a tidy saving…

Boiling over

Your wallet may not thank you if you keep that kettle on any longer than is strictly necessary. Three quarters of us admit to at least occasionally boiling up more water than we use, but by brewing just the right amount you’ll save precious teabag-stewing time, as well as cash.

It will save you around £6 a year according to the Energy Saving Trust.

A modern eco kettle will do this automatically, using 20 per cent less energy than a conventional electric one, so while nobody wants to spend money to save, it might be well worth going for an eco replacement next time you need to replace your current model.

Flick The Switch

6

Did you know that those red dots on your appliances could be costing you around £35 a year? Leaving devices on standby is a costly energy drain, so get switched on to saving and turn off your appliances completely or simply unplug them before you go to bed.

Swap your shower head

6

Swapping to a water efficient shower head could save a four person household – such as a family of four or a shared student flat - as much as £30 a year on gas for water heating bills, as well as another £45 a year on water bills if you have a water meter.

It’s a great way to clean up when you consider you can get one for less than £15. Plus, if a family of four each stepped out of the shower one minute earlier than normal, they could also save £16 a year, as well as plenty of arguments over who takes the longest in the morning.

Drop a degree

6

You can still keep yourself nice and toasty, but just one degree less on the central heating thermostat could see an annual saving of £55 – that’ll keep you warm on its own!

Remember to keep the sofa away from the radiator too, as anything that blocks the heat, like curtains or furniture, will mean less efficient heating and smaller savings as well.

Lightbulb moment

6

Possibly the easiest of energy-saving tips is to just turn the lights off. By flicking the switch whenever you leave a room you can save almost £11 a year.

Give that lampshade a dust too – it could be affecting the light and dimming the room – and change your lightbulbs.

If you replace all the bulbs in your home with LED lights, you could save £30 a year on your electricity bills.

Energy-efficient lighting helps lower electricity bills and carbon dioxide emissions, all without reducing the quality of light in our homes.

Don’t get rinsed

Don’t rush to wash up after every meal, as saving dishes up to do them all at once will save you money.

Every extra bowl of washing up you do a day, taken across a year, adds up to £18.25 according to consumer champions Which? – the perfect excuse for relaxing and letting your food go down!

Go for one less spin

6

The dishwasher might be a post-party lifesaver if you have one, but by cutting back by just one cycle a week, you’ll pocket £8 each year in energy savings.

Similarly, one less washing machine spin a week makes you £8 richer by the end of the year. And don’t forget to give the filters in both a spring clean. If they’re clogged, they’re less energy efficient.

Smart thinking

So what is a smart meter and can it help you save money? Installed by your energy supplier – at no extra cost – smart meters replace your traditional meters, and come with a handy in-home display.

Smart meters could help you make even better sense of the energy you use, helping you work out if you could lower your consumption, and maybe even save money.

Smart meters send your meter readings directly and securely to your supplier every month, so you don’t have to. Plus you’ll know exactly how much you’re spending on energy and how much your bill should be, helping take some of the stress out of budgeting.

We all know knowledge is power.

Getting a smart meter is key to seeing where you could be saving.

• To find out more about how a smart meter could help you save energy and how to get one, go to . And for more handy energy saving tips, see

All energy savings tips sourced from Energy Saving Trust, 2021