Tips on keeping energy bills down

With the last Bank Holiday of the summer behind us and the daylight hours shortening our thoughts are turning to autumn and winter. The cost of gas and electricity are a concern for many people. Help is available to keep the cost down.
Scope have a partnership with Npower energy experts who can talk you through energy efficiency measures and grants.
Simple and low-cost options can make a difference. Here are a few examples.
Turning your heating down by 1 degree could save up to £80 per year.
Switching everything off standby up to £30
Do one less wash a week and save up to £10.
Draught proof doors and windows and save up to £20.
Taking just these four steps could save you up to £140.
The Warm Home Discount could save you up to £140 on your winter electricity bill. Speak to your supplier to check if you are eligible.
There is so much you can do to keep the bills down while keeping safe and warm. Visit our heating bills pages for more information.
If you have any ideas you want to share about keeping bills down let our online community know about them.
Replies
Senior online community officer
How to save energy
The energy saving tips below give you some tools and tactics that will help you save gas and electricity at home. We have included estimated figures from the Energy Saving Trust to illustrate the potential energy savings that you could make.
1. Turn off standby appliances
2. Install a smart thermostat
3. Turn down your thermostat
4. Buy efficient appliances
5. Install a new boiler
6. Wash clothes at a lower temperature
7. Be smarter about water
8. Invest in double glazing
9. Draught-proof your property
10. Insulate the roof
11. Monitor your usage
They have lots of helpful tips on saving money in other parts of your life too, so check out their website.
Senior online community officer
The second option is to buy some hand warmers. You can find them in the shops or online. Make sure to read the reviews carefully.
Alternatively you can get a hot water bottle to use at night in bed. Additionally whenever possible use the oven to heat up your kitchen. A hairdryer will also do the job perfectly. Move sofas away from radiators this is so that the heat can circulate properly around the room.
Option 4 is a electric heater. You can purchase them online. Again read reviews and compare costs carefully as well.
Or what about a electric blanket? Look online.
If you have a water meter, or getting on you may be able to get extra help with Watersure in England or Wales. Watersure caps what you pay if you are on certain benefits and have a high essential use.
What's meant by high essential use of water
If your household has a high essential use of water this means:
The person with the medical condition or the children under 19 must use the property as their main home.
Certain conditions will automatically qualify for Watersure as long as they meet the other conditions:
- desquamation (flaky skin disease)
- weeping skin disease (eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration)
- incontinence
- abdominal stomas
- renal failure requiring dialysis at home - although you won't qualify for WaterSure if you're already getting a contribution to your water costs from the NHS
- Crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis.
You can find out more at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/If you live on your own, or struggle with a kettle, switching to a one cup kettle dispenser can help cut the cost of boiling the water and save you having to lift a heavy kettle.
I know I have mentioned this elsewhere, but also consider switching to LED lighting. Come on instantly, use less power and last longer, initial cost is higher but still savings over the long term. We replaced most of our bulbs as the previous lights stopped working meaning the initial outlay is not in one go. There are led lighting available for most common household lights. The only one we have not replaced yet is the fluorescent light in the kitchen. There is a significant difference in prices, but savings can still be made. You do need a different starter, so if you do swap make sure that it comes with a starter, or where you can purchase one. Replace the light and starter and you are up and running. Huge bonus there should be no noise or flickering and large savings in usage.
As an individual I stood alone.
As a member of a group I did things.
As part of a community I helped to create change!
I only run one heater in the living/bedroom and one in the bathroom (who puts a storage heater in a bathroom!?
I have also thought about paying fixed direct debit to afford the winter bill, but it seems very high to do so. Currently paying around £50 a month for summer bill and expect around £100 a month for winter based on last year. Looked at moving to DD and they want £85 a month, surely it should only be £75 as hallway between best and worst months?
The landlord doesn't allow supplier changes so I can't shop around but am on an 'Assist Plan' and will apply for Warm Home discount again when that opens this year.
Dont boil a full kettle for one or two cups of coffee, just boil what you need.
Check you are on the best tariff with your energy supplier, I did this recently and am now paying exactly the same BUT as I have my phone and broadband with them I get a 50% discount for a year saving me almost £140, and the electric tariff is fixed for the year.