Saving Money on Gas and Electricity Bills

By searching around it is possible to find suppliers who will give a good deal, but the only real way to reduce your actual bills is to learn the meaning of the word economise.

1. There are now so many price comparison sites available on the Internet that you can quickly source the best possible tariff for gas and electricity supplies, this could save money – in fact an awful lot of it! The rates they can offer are amazing.

You can also check whether it is advantageous to have separate suppliers for gas and electricity, as it is not always economically prudent to go to the same company for both fuels.

They also have the facility for comparing telephone, Broadband and mobile telephone suppliers. It will pay you to have a look around at the alternative suppliers.

Here you can take the easy route -

With the recent price increases, particularly those from British Gas, this has become particularly important. However, British Gas recently dropped their prices considerably. If you signed-up for their long-term low (?) price contract your gas price will now be high in comparison with other suppliers. Apply to British Gas to renegotiate or cancel your contract.

It can be done! Your priority is saving money - not keep conglomerates making excessive profits.

It pays to review your situation every twelve months. Being realistic, the only way of saving money on the increasing price hikes in fuel is to let economy be your watchword.

At the time of writing Southern Electric have the cheapest dual fuel prices on average in the UK, and they have also been the last to raise their prices. nPower raised theirs on 5th January, but Southern Electric delayed their increase until 1st April.

2. If you can save 1p per hour on your electricity bill your yearly saving will amount to £86.70.

Switch off lights in rooms that are not being used. Even HM Queen Elizabeth does this.

Switch of all appliances that are governed by the standby control light.

Switch off the computer if it is not going to be used for several hours.

Don’t leave the television running when there is no one in the room it is a great burner of electricity. If the children have a TV in their room, make sure they switch off.

This is all about saving money and becoming an expert at it!

3. To become even more of an expert you must avoid using 0870 telephone numbers wherever possible.

If you object to this go to www. www.saynoto0870.com Don’t use expensive 0870 numbers.

Companies using this prefix are making an additional profit when you telephone them. Keep your telephone bill down, save money by using this free service.

4. Make sure you have a full load in the washing machine and dishwasher before switching on.

This will also affect your water bill if you are on a Water Meter.

5. Remember to clean the filter on your tumble dryer or washing machine regularly. When the filter is clogged your machine is less efficient and uses up to a third more energy. Also, the tumble dryer is the highest consumer of electricity in your home.

6. Wash at 30 degrees centigrade instead of a higher temperature and save one third of the energy.

7. When replacing your old machine, buy an energy savings recommended machine at save at least £8.00 per year.

8. If you wear clothes once and they are not heavily stained, try freshening them up on a cold water cycle.
*Tips 5-8 Courtesy of Southern Electric.

9. Use energy efficient light bulbs, they do make a difference. Energy saving light bulbs use 75% less electricity than standard light bulbs – yet last 10 times longer. Shop around in the major supermarkets for reasonably priced bulbs.

A fluorescent tube uses 500 times more energy if left on for 15 minutes than the energy needed to restart it. So switch it off!

10. Make a point of trying to keep your freezer full as it will then use less electricity, and make sure you regularly defrost if you have one that needs manual defrosting. A heavy build up of ice will make your freezer less efficient and it will consume more electricity. Think save money here.

11. If you cook by electricity, make full use of the residual heat, i.e., if you are boiling eggs, as soon as the water is on a full boil switch off the hot plate and the eggs will cook for the remaining 3 minutes in the residual heat.

Any other foods cooked in a saucepan will respond to this sort of economy, i.e., pasta, potatoes, etc. As you get used to using this tip, you will be surprised how very little time you will need to have the electric hob switched on.

When cooking pasta it might well be possible just to bring the pan to the boil, switch off and use the residual heat. Experiment here and you will be amazed at your savings.

12. If you are have Economy 7 or Night and Day rate on your electricity supply, make sure you use this to save the very last penny. Even charging your mobile phone, electric toothbrush or torch, digi camera etc. will save you pence each time but if you set your washing machine, water softener etc., to work for you overnight, these savings will amount to pounds during the course of a year.

13. When charging your mobile phone or electric toothbrush always switch off at the socket when charging is complete, otherwise the charger will continue to use electricity.

14. During a power cut, throw a thick blanket or cover over the freezer. It will help retain the cold and prevent your food being at more risk than is necessary.

16. If they are of a 'sensible' age, try and involve your children – make them ‘watchers of the light switches’. If you can make it a game they will cooperate and find it fun. BUT, remember don’t over economise where stairs and landings are concerned - this could literally prove fatal. Save money in a sensible way.

12. When boiling the kettle only use sufficient water for your immediate requirement. Make sure the element is covered before switching on otherwise this will be a false economy. Switch off by hand instead of allowing the kettle to continue boiling when it is so obviously ready.

17. To save electricity and keep your microwave oven fresh, just switch of at the point overnight, instead of at the oven and leave the door of the oven very slightly ajar.

It is now possible to save in excess of 12% on your heating oil bills. Just take a look at our pageand see how this will be of help - particularly to people living in rural areas.

Do you know of a good energy saving tip? Why not pass it on to us via the Contact Us page