Just lately there seems to be an endless increase to our energy bills. Energy companies have raised their prices several times of the past few months, leaving many households in fear of turning on the heating. We can't do much about price rises but we can give you some practical tips to help you save money.
1. All about lighting
We take our lights for granted, but if we become more conscious of them we can save money. Switch to energy saving bulbs; they last up to 10 times longer and can save you between £45 and £70 over the life of the bulb.
Make sure you turn lights off in rooms you aren't using to cut down your bills even more.
2. For the tea and coffee drinkers amongst us
In Britain we love a good cuppa to get us through the day, but boiling the kettle uses a lot of energy that all adds up on your bill. There are a few things you could do to make yourself more energy efficient whilst still being able to enjoy a good brew.
Only boil the water you need, this reduces the amount of time it takes to boil the kettle.
Boil a full kettle of water and store the unused water in a thermos flask ready for use later (it also means less waiting for that drink later on).
Buy an Eco Kettle which is designed to use less electricity to boil your water.
3. Kill the standby
A lot of people put their TV, DVD player or games console into standby mode when they have finished. Did you know that you're still using electricity when you do this?
Instead of hitting standby on your remote you should switch off your device. If you don't have a power button to do this why not buy an adaptor that kills power to all your devices in one go? It can save around £40 a year.
4. Turn down the heat
The average British home has the heating too high. By turning down your thermostat by just 1 degree you can save around £50 a year on your heating bill.
Close the curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the glass, and close internal doors. This keeps the heat in the room.
5. Washing blues
Laundry is a dull chore, but it also uses a lot of electricity. Make sure that you have a full load in the washing machine and tumble dryer so that you use less electricity.
If you live alone and often have a half load, consider using Colour Catcher sheets (available from supermarkets). These let you mix colours and whites without damaging your whites.
6. Charging up gadgets
Modern life is full of gadgets, whether it be your mobile, iPod, laptop, or games device. They all need recharging and most of us plug them in overnight for convenience.
They only take a few hours to charge; so leaving them plugged in all night unnecessarily uses electricity. Get in the habit of charging your gadgets in the day to see a saving on your bill.
7. Insulate your home
Make sure that you have adequate insulation in your home, particularly in the loft area. Homes loose the bulk of their heat through the roof.
You should also consider cavity wall insulation and fitting draft excluders on doors to keep winter drafts out.
There are a number of schemes available from the government and energy companies to help you insulate your home; it's worth having a chat with them.
8. Energy saving appliances
If you're buying new kitchen appliances you should look at the energy efficiency rating. Where possible buy A rated appliances; this means you're getting the best energy savings possible.
They may cost a little more initially; but will pay you back in cheaper bills later on.
9. Make a meal of leftovers
Wasted food and leftovers contributes to carbon emissions which are harmful to the environment. Freeze left over food or eat it the next day, it also helps cut down on the shopping bill.
10. Fix your leaky taps
A dripping hot water tap wastes energy; and in a week wastes half a bath full of water. Fix any leaking taps, and make sure they are properly turned off when you have finished using them.
For more information energy saving tips, help paying your bills, and renewable energy visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk