Have you received a shock lately looking at the rocketing prices in your monthly utility bill, well you're not alone. A recent study has found the cost of utility bills in the UK has increased by £300 over the past three years, that's an increase of over 10% per year.
This month we've taken a look at the 5 most effective techniques people are using to reduce the cost of their monthly bills and save money.
5. Change The Way You Are Paying Your Bills
If you are still receiving paper bills and paying by cash, cheque or BACS then This is the easiest way to make significant savings on your utility bills. Sending out paper bills and collecting payment from customers is good part of a utility providers operating costs and so lots of them are now offering chunky discounts to customers who opt to switch their bills to paperless online only services and further discount to customers which decide to pay by direct debit.
So if you have access to the internet (you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't) make the switch today and look forward to saving of up to £100 every year.
4. Take regular readings of your gas and electricity meters
Energy companies will often send you a bill based on estimate usage, as this can be anyones guess it will often leave you paying much more than is necessary, check your meter regularly and make sure you provide your energy supplier with an accurate reading this way you be paying for only for what you are using.
If you find you have been over-charged you can ask for the money to be refunded to your bank account under "Condition 27 of the Gas Supply Licence" which requires them to credit your bank account with any outstanding funds.
3. Turn the heating down
Most households operate their heating temperature between 20-21 degrees centigrade, by turning the heat down by just 1 degree to 19 degrees you can find your heating costs declining by up to 10 percent every month and you will barely feel the difference in your home.
If you find the hot water coming from the tap is immediately boiling hot then chances are thermostat is set way to high and this is costing you money, turn it down to no more than 60 degrees centigrade and you will achieve further saving on your energy bill.
2. Get your home insulated for free
A well insulated home will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, according to the Energy Saving Trust a well insulated loft will save you up to £175 per year in heating costs and cavity wall insulation will save a further £135, adding up to £310 saved every year!
What's more is the insulation doesn't have to cost you penny to install, through the Green Deal an assessor will come to your home and identify what energy efficiency improvements you can make and what the financial savings will be. They will then submit this report to your Green Deal provider, you will be allocated a grant for the home improvements which is paid back over time through your electricity bill. The electricity supplier will charge you no more than a typical household will save on heating bills so it is likely you will be better off from day one!
1. Switch your old light bulbs over to LED light bulbs
Your old halogen and incandescent light bulbs are likely to be costing you a fortune in lighting bills, with the latest advancements in LED lighting this really isn't necessary.
By switching over to LED you could reduce your lighting costs by as much as 90% every month, LED lamps use about 10% of electricity of a traditional light bulb whilst emitting an identical light output, you would never know the difference.
We have a range of led lamps replace nearly every light bulb in your home, from the GU10 lamps in your kitchen to the incandescent light bulb in your reading lamp there is a replacement LED light.
Many of our customers find they have paid for their replacement lights within a year from the saving on electricity bill and whats even better is that LED lights are known to last for up to 20 years!