ENERGY ADVICE

Little things such as turning your thermostat down or switching to the new energy saving light bulbs can help, while insulation and replacement boilers will save you money — and you may qualify for a grant or discounts to help with the cost. For further information, Energy Help For You gives information on how to save energy and lower bills.

It is always worthwhile looking to see whether another energy supplier has a better tariff for you. Particularly if you have never switched before or it has been a number of years since you have, you may be missing out on new products, cheaper tariffs and opportunities to fix your energy prices.

Energy suppliers are committed to working together to ensure that the switching process is simple and hassle-free for you. The process of switching suppliers can be made simpler by having certain information handy including:

1. Having your existing supplier’s details;
2. The name of your current tariff;
3. How you pay for your energy (i.e. by direct debit, by receiving your bill, pre-payment meter);
4. How much gas and/or electricity you use.

The Home Heat Helpline cannot recommend which supplier you should switch to or give advice on which tariffs are best for you. An accredited switching website or telephone switching line can help you find the best deal. A list of accredited sites can be found on Ofgem’s website. Alternatively, you can contact your current supplier directly or look at their website to find out what deals they have.

If you need further advice about the switching process, please contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06. The whole process, from the end of the cool-off period, should take no longer than 3 weeks to complete.

A good way to save money and cut your energy bills is to take steps to make your home more energy-efficient.

The house below features tips on how to make your home more energy-efficient. Please note that these figures are based on the savings a 3 bedroom semi-detached house would make, and are sourced from the Energy Saving Trust.

Appliances: Don’t leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily. It all adds up and wastes money.

Taps: A dripping hot water tap can waste enough hot water to fill half a bath in just one week, so fix leaking taps and make sure they’re all fully turned off.

Baths: Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn’t need to be set any higher than 60°C/140°F.

Lights: Replacing just one old light bulb with an energy-saving recommended one can lower lighting costs by up to £50 over the lifetime of the bulb. Plus they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.

Boiler: If your boiler is over 12 years old consider switching to an energy-efficient A-rated one. High-efficiency condensing boilers can save up to a third of your annual heating bills, and grants are available to help cover the cost.

Thermostat: Turning your thermostat down by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10% and save you around £85 a year.

Washing machine / tumble dryer / dishwasher: Remember to use the half-load or economy programmes if you’re not filling up these appliances to their capacity.

Kettle: Only boil as much water as you need – but remember to cover the elements if you’re using an electric kettle.

Wall insulation: A third of the cost of heating your home is lost through the walls, so insulating them is the best way to save energy in the home. Installing cavity wall insulation can save you up to £140 per year on your heating bills.

Loft insulation: Laying your loft with 11 inches/27 centimeters of insulation can save you a quarter of your home’s heating costs.