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Money saving tips for cutting down your energy bills

Paying back household bills is an increasingly difficult problem for the people of the UK. The Personal Debt 2014 Statistics Yearbook by the debt charity StepChange shows that since the number of people seeking debt advice for essential household bills has increased by an astronomical 296 per cent, from 45,815 to 135,631. This means that as many as two in five of StepChange’s clients were seeking help for priority debts in 2014.

These essential bills are ones which nobody wants to fall behind on. Though these statistics can be discouraging, debts like these can be managed with a more flexible approach to short term lending. In light of this report, the short term flexible loan provider Peachy has put together their top 5 money saving tips for cutting down your energy bills. So without further ado, the first thing you need to do is…

Shop around for the best energy deals

The energy market is a competitive one, and as little as an hour online shopping for the best deals you can save you hundreds of pounds over the course of the year. Think of your gas and electricity the same way as you think of your internet provider. You use the same pipes, you use the same energy, you just change the way you’re billed. If one company is offering you the same amount of energy for a fraction of the price, it’s pretty obvious which company to go for.

Get online and research which energy providers in your area offer the best deal on gas and electricity. With a little smart shopping you can really stomp your energy bill down to a much more manageable level with little to no effort at all.

Energy efficiency is important

Knowing which appliances are costing you the most money can help you be more judicious in your energy usage. You won’t leave your huge plasma TV on when you go out when you realise how much of your energy bill it accounts for. The big three are plasma TVs, expensive videogame consoles and your washing machine.

Check the energy efficiency ratings on your appliances and if there’s anything which is particularly wasteful keep it off when it’s not in use and consider replacing it in the near future. Likewise it can also be worth checking that your double glazing hasn’t blown – particularly if you’re living in an older house.

Watch your washing

When you’re shopping around make sure you ask potential energy providers they offer peak and off-peak rates. Some energy providers offer discounts for after-hours usage, and if your energy company does, it’s well worth knowing.

Heating is one of the most expensive things to do in your house, and inefficient washing machines guzzle electricity like you wouldn’t believe. Heating cold water and keeping it hot requires a lot of energy. The difference between washing clothes at 40°C and 30°C is be substantial, just as the difference between washing your clothes during peak and off-peak hours.

Optimise your air flow

Proper air flow will allow you maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness whether you’re heating or cooling your house. If you’re heating your home you want to make sure you’re doing so as efficiently as possible. If you have air vents or extraction fans between rooms make sure that they’re clean and free of cobwebs. When air is moving it’s easier to keep your house at an average temperature, meaning that your thermostat will kick the heating on unnecessarily less often, saving you money.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Grant Pettersson .