Energy prices have increased this autumn and are set to rise further in January as Ofgem announced it was raising the price cap by 1.2%.
As well as driving up the average energy by £21 a year, it comes as the Winter Fuel Allowance has been removed for many pensioners and amid the coldest time of year.
Bill payers are being advised to switch to fixed-rate tariffs to make savings. But for those who cannot find a cheaper or deal, or simply want to shave more money off their bill, energy efficiency tips can help reduce the pressure a little.
Greg Wilson, energy comparison expert at Quotezone.co.uk, believes households could save as much as £200 a year by ditching some energy-wasting habits they may have fallen into.
Things like over filling the kettle and running appliances unnecessarily can all add extra pounds onto your bill.
We all know how much difference something as small as turning the thermostat down a notch can make. And these tips run along the same lines – small changes for a big win. Here they are…
Use cheaper kitchen appliances
Cooking dinner using the slow cooker rather than the oven can save you money in the long run, said Wilson.
In fact, switching to your kitchen’s more energy-efficient appliances can save £58 per year, he said.
The slow cooker is the most energy-saving cooking appliance, costing under 5p per hour to run compared to the oven which is 60p per hour.
“Slow cookers have a low wattage,” Wilson said, “meaning even though it may take a few hours to cook your favourite meal, you will be saving money.
“An oven may take a total of 45 minutes to heat up and cook a meal, costing you 45p per use, while a slow cooker on for six hours would cost just 29p per use.”
Air fryers are also a good option for those in a rush, costing 42p per hour.
Only use your dishwasher when necessary
Wilson calculated you could save up to £84.24 a year by only running your dishwasher when it’s completely full or cutting down the frequency with which you use the appliance.
“Your dishwasher consumes a lot of energy and runs for a long period each time it is switched on,” he said, “making it one of the costliest appliances in the kitchen.
“The combined energy and water usage for each cycle can cost around 54p. If you are running your dishwasher every day without filling it completely, you could be wasting money unnecessarily.”
Run your dishwasher four times a week and you could save £1.62 per week, or £84.24 every year.
Stop overfilling your kettle
Kettles contribute to higher energy bills for many households, Wilson said. But if you aren’t willing to cut back on the amount of cuppas made each day, he recommends filling it with only the water you need.
“Filling the kettle with more water than you need could be costing you an additional £10 per year in energy,” he added.
Stop leaving appliances on standby
We’re probably all a bit guilty of this one – leaving gaming consoles, TVs and laptops on standby when we go out or go to bed. But whether you leave them on out of forgetfulness or otherwise, remembering to turn them off when you’ve finished could save £79.71 per year, according to Wilson.
He said: “The most energy draining appliances are electronic devices such as desktop computers, laptops, gaming consoles and TVs, which are almost always left on standby.
“Other energy-sucking appliances like washing machines, tumble dryers, coffee makers and smart speakers should also be turned off after use to help save on energy costs.”
Close curtains after dark
Curtains and blinds keep in the heat so, as soon as the sun sets, make sure to close all curtains and blinds in your home, Wilson advised.
“This will prevent warm air from escaping out of the cold windows,” he explained. “Less energy will then be needed to heat your home in the evenings when your home is at its coldest. Investing in thick, quality curtains can also provide a layer of insulation and help to cut down on energy costs.”
