Energy Saving Tips to reduce the cost of your bills and save money
If you want to save on your energy bills, switching suppliers can only take you so far. To really make a difference you need to use less energy – and you’ll find that tiny changes can have a huge effect. Plus, there are lots of grants available for energy efficient home improvements.
Top tips – that don’t cost anything
Start saving right away – we’ve picked out five of the Energy Saving Trust’s top ten tips to help you on your way. They all have a big impact, so even if you just do one of them, you’ll still be better off.
- Turn down your thermostat. Just reducing it by 1°C could cut 10% off your heating bill – it usually saves around £55 per year.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Fill up your washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher. One full load uses less energy than two half loads. Wash your clothes at 30ºC and don’t use the tumble dryer if you can avoid it.
- Don’t boil more water than you need but remember to cover the elements if you’re using an electric kettle.
- Use energy saving light bulbs if you haven’t already switched. They last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, and don’t cost much more. Using one can save you around £55 over the lifetime of the bulb.
Get a free home energy check and save money
Find out what home improvements you need with a Home Energy Check from the Energy Saving Trust. It’s free, it’s easy, it takes under 10 minutes and it could save you up to £250 per year. You’ll get a personalised report about your home, telling you what could save you the most in the long term.
Get a Home Energy Check on the Energy Saving Trust website
Advice on making your home more energy efficient from the Energy Saving Trust
Grants to make your home more energy efficient
Spending a little to save a lot is a good investment – especially if you get to spend someone else’s money. There are lots of grants available to help with things like:
- improving your insulation
- upgrading your boiler and appliances
- installing solar panels or other renewable technologies
Even without a grant, some of these investments will pay back what you’ve spent quite quickly, and then start saving you money.
What grants are you eligible for?
To see what energy saving grants you could get, see the Energy Saving Trust website.
Available grants
The Green Deal
A Government-backed scheme to help you make cost-effective energy saving improvements to your home. Instead of paying for the full cost of the improvements up front, you pay over time through a charge added to your electricity bill.
Action plan – Cut your fuel bills with the Green Deal
The Energy Company Obligation
You might be able to get help for energy-saving improvements to your home if you’re on certain benefits and own or privately rent your home.
You may get all or part of the cost of loft or cavity wall insulation and boiler repairs or replacements.
Find out more about the Energy Company Obligation on the Gov.uk website
England – Warm Front Scheme
Although the Warm Front Scheme ended on 19 January 2013 you can check an existing application made before this date. You can also find out who to contact if have had any problems with Warm Front equipment.
Scotland – Energy Assistance Package
Offers expert energy advice and energy-efficiency measures including draught proofing, cavity-wall insulation or even a new boiler, depending on your circumstances. You may be eligible if you get Pension Credit or other income or disability-related benefits.
Find out more and how to apply on the Energy Assistance Package website
Wales – Nest
Nest is the Welsh Government’s aims to help reduce the number of households in fuel poverty and make Welsh homes warmer and more fuel-efficient places to live. If you’re worried about the cost of heating your home, call Nest on 0800 512 012 (free from a landline) or 0300 456 2655 (free from a mobile phone). You can also fill in the Nest call back request form. See also the Energy Saving Trust Wales website.
Northern Ireland – Warm Homes and Warm Homes Plus Schemes
Help with insulation and (in the case of Warm Home Plus) central heating systems. Available if you own your own home or rent privately and you’re receiving certain benefits.
Check the facts and how to apply on the nidirect website
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.
