How to lower your gas and electricity bills

We all pay more for our gas and electricity bills than we were just five years ago. So, why not try to beat the price increases by taking time this summer to make  sure you are getting the best deal from your energy supplier?

There are lots of energy comparison websites to help you do this, such as www.uswitch.com.  if you haven’t got Internet access call Uswitch on Freephone 0800 404 7908.

Energy Saving Tips

Heating – too warm? Don’t waste your money – turn your thermostat down by 1°C. It could cut  your heating bills by up to 10%.

Hot Water – of course it should be hot, but it doesn’t need to be scalding. For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing.
  
Plug It – always put the plug in your basin or sink. Leaving hot water taps running is like washing money down the plughole.

Curtains – close curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.

Lights – always turn them off when you leave a room and use energy saving light bulbs.

Televisions, computers and phones – avoid leaving appliances on standby and remember not to leave phones on charge unnecessarily.

Fridges – don’t leave the door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape.  Defrost your fridge regularly to keep it running efficiently.

Washing machines and tumble dryers – always wash a full load and use your washing machine at a lower temperature. Don’t put really wet clothes into a tumble dryer – wring then out or spin-dry them first.

Pots and pans – choose the right size pan for the food and cooker (the base should just cover the cooking ring) and keep lids on when cooking. Don’t use more water than you need as it wastes energy.