The trouble with electricity and gas in the UK is that the price to use those utilities goes up all the time. These days it’s getting harder to stretch our money further without making major sacrifices.
You often hear people talking about utility bills. They might mention how switching suppliers and making changes at home can save money. But, do such actions make any difference in real life? Well, it turns out that they do! I got to the point where I had enough of paying a fortune for my gas and electricity.
I did some research online, made a few changes, and now I’ve slashed a lot off my energy bill costs! Intrigued? Here’s how I did it:
- I stopped being loyal to my energy supplier
Here’s the thing: energy companies don’t care about you. Loyalty to them gets you nowhere. They aren’t bothered if you are a loyal customer or not. At best, you might get a small discount for paying by Direct Debit. And that’s about it! If you want to make some real changes to your energy bills, you need to switch your supplier. I went on the Gocollective website and now I’m saving hundreds of pounds a year. It’s amazing how such a simple thing can save you loads of money, don’t you think?
When you’re comparing energy suppliers, be sure to use several comparison sites. For me, Gocollective was the cheapest. A different website might be cheaper for you.
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- I upgraded my lights
For a while, I’ve been using those CFL “energy-saving” bulbs in my home. They did save me some money over the older incandescent lights, of course. But, the thing I don’t like about CFLs is they take ages to “warm up”!
A friend of mine suggested I look into LED lights instead. I always thought they cost a fortune, and there wasn’t much choice. But, things are different nowadays. The difference in price between CFLs and LEDs is negligible.
I recommend you upgrade to LEDs for several reasons. First, they use even less electricity than CFL bulbs! Second, they don’t generate any heat. And, third, they light up straight away and, to me, they offer a crisper light output.
- I saved up for some new kitchen appliances
Some of the biggest electricity users in my home are my kitchen appliances. The fridge-freezer, for example, is a big eater of energy. Of course, there’s also the washing machine and the dishwasher. Nowadays, you can buy kitchen appliances that are A-rated for energy efficiency. Or, to put it in money terms, they won’t cost you much in your electricity bills.
I decided to spend a few months saving up for some new energy-efficient gadgets. I’m glad I did, not just for the cost saving. One of them wasn’t working well so I would have needed a new one anyway!
- I turn things off when I don’t need them
Last, but not least, don’t bother leaving things on standby. They use electricity and can even be a fire risk. Every evening before bed, and before I leave the house, I make sure everything is all switched off.
I hope you’ve found my blog post useful. Let me know if you’ve tried these tips and how they’ve worked for you!
Rebecca x
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I really must get around to looking at our energy supplier and seeing if we should move. With a new kitchen being installed in a few weeks, we are about to get new, more efficient appliances, It’s getting the rest of the family to be energy efficient that’s my challenge! #BrilliantBlogPosts
It is so worth doing. We change suppliers regularly
This is a bug-bare in my house as iam forever turning off things that aren’t being used!! also, we stayed with our supplier for 4yrs before I realised we were paying £40 a month too much! switching was a pain in the bum but after a couple of months, the extra £40 has come in very handy! Great tips 🙂
#brillblogposts
Very useful tips, especially at this time of the year. I’m terrible for leaving lights on x
Thanks for your tips! This is great. Glad I stopped by to read this article.
Thank you for sharing these tips! One often overlooked way to save energy and money in your building is by installing low-flow showerheads and faucets. These fixtures use less water than traditional ones, which not only helps to conserve water but also reduces the amount of energy needed to heat it.
Also, remember to insulate the pipes properly to ensure that heated water doesn’t cool as it travels to the fixtures, cutting down on unnecessary heating costs. This will improve the home’s energy efficiency.
For most uses, fiberglass or foam (polyethylene/polyurethane) are good choices for pipe insulation. If you need to handle higher temperatures, go for mineral wool or elastomeric foam. For extreme temperature situations, use cellular glass. Just consider what you need, the temperature range, pipe size, moisture, and fire safety when making your choice.