Save Money on Utilities

With the world demand for energy constantly rising it seems unlikely that prices for utilities will drop to their once low level. The only way to survive these price hikes is to become an expert and practice economy and so save money.

As well as gas and electricity we have just formatted a NEW page with a fantastic idea for cutting your heating oil bills

Make sure not to miss it you can really save money here. The price of utilities - gas, electricity etc., will continue to rise because of world-wide demand - so make good use of all the advice given here.

The following tips will also help you in this quest. Items are highlighted in bold to make your search easier.

1. Go to www.boilerjuice.co.uk This organization covers most of the country and is managing to secure good savings for most people on heating fuels.

It also pays to pit one local supplier against another and bargain for the best price you can obtain. This normally works a treat. Oil is a very expensive utility - don’t accept what you are told in the first place, learn how to haggle - think you must save money here!

For people in rural areas there is a superb money saving idea here. If you are able to use this scheme you could save up to £100 on your oil bill.

2. Don't leave any electronic equipment - computers, TVs. radios, HiFi's. DVDs - in fact anything with a standby function. These will burn a fantastic amount of electricity and are also a fire hazard should the equipment become overheated.

3. This tip comes under the heading of - cheating - because this is not one of the utilities in the correct sense of the word.

If you have a wood-burning stove, when you are on your next country walk take a sturdy carrier bag with you and collect small pieces of wood to use as kindling to get the stove started.

It may need to be left to dry out before using. Enjoy your walk and think of the money you are saving!

4. Fit thermostatic valves to your radiators, this will save you heating on rooms that are hardly used. If you do have thermostatic valves already fitted to your radiators, make sure they are correctly set.

5. Fit radiator foil behind the radiators and draught excluder to all windows and doors. This will make more efficient use of the fuel you are already burning.

Keep the doors of rooms closed; they will retain the heat more efficiently. What a lovely feeling. Keep snug, keep warm, save money and save on utilities!

6. Try turning the central heating thermostat down by just one degree.

Don’t tell anyone you have done this and the chances are they will not notice, but your savings will be high.

If they do notice, don’t tell them what you have done, just say the weather is colder and tell them to put on an extra sweater or move around more by doing batch cooking, etc. Think of the budget. Keep quiet – it’s all in the mind. Think utilities - think of the need to save money

TELEPHONES

8. However, the cheapest land line company does not necessarily offer the best option for you. If you have a mobile phone that gives you a deal with free telephone calls each evening and during weekends, take advantage of this offer and do not use your land line at these times. It is just a matter of common sense to sort out where you can save money.

9. Many companies use the 0870 prefix for their incoming calls from customers. This way they receive a premium payment when you use this number and you have a heavier phone bill.

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

You simply go to the site on the right, enter the company name and you will given an alternative geographical telephone number if it is known. Better still, some are even free phone numbers. The choice and the savings are yours. This service has been tested and is excellent. Don't waste your money, it is far better to save it.

BROADBAND

10. If you have had a contract with your Broadband supplier for over a year, ring them and ask for a reduction in the amount you are paying.

The author did this and had her monthly bill reduced from £17.99 to £9.99. You must learn to haggle and threaten to shop around. Better still have your facts and figures lined up and to hand before you speak to your company. Remember it is up to you where saving money is concerned - we just do our best to help you!.

11. When selecting your Broadband supplier beware of the ‘new kids on the block’ who offer supposedly fantastic deals. Some of these new boys just fade away in alarming circumstances.

WATER

With water becoming an ever increasingly valuable resource, it is essential not to waste but to use water thoughtfully. Yes, it is literally always on tap, but treat it with respect.

Many households are now using a water meter and with this in mind, the following tips help you to focus.

12. When boiling the kettle only use sufficient water for your immediate requirement. Make sure the element is covered with water, preventing burn-out, before switching on otherwise this will be a false economy.

13. Whenever possible shower instead of taking a bath. It is quicker and more refreshing. Be like the Japanese who consider it wrong to sit in their own dirty water in the bath.

Unfortunately, some of the Japanese take this literally and instead of taking a shower, leave the water running constantly whilst they are in the bath. At least one London hotel room has been flooded in this way!

14. It is possible to buy ornamental blocks and put these into the toilet cistern to displace some of the water required. This is not really necessary, just put a house brick inside, this will have the same effect. We are supposed to be saving money on utilities here, and who is going to look inside your toilet cistern?

15. Always make sure your dishwasher is fully loaded being switching on. Here you will save money on two utilities - water and electricity.

16. Likewise with the washing machine. On some washing machines it is possible to use a 'half-load'setting if you just have a few items to wash.

17. When cleaning your teeth don't leave the tap running all the time. Yes, only a small amount of water will be saved - but this soon mounts up to a large amount in a few days.

18. Fix a dripping tap as soon as possible. If you are on a water meter this becomes doubly important as a dripping tap could fill a bath in a day.

So, as with every venture - do your own research. This site is regularly updated and new tips are constantly being added to help you.

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

Recommended reading:

Save Money on Gas and Electricity Bills
Save Money on Heating Oil