Families can always benefit from saving more money, but it’s difficult to know if you’re doing everything you can. Paul Ritchie is Managing Director at All England Gas, and he’s given us these top tips for reducing your family’s heating bills.
You can save a bit of money on your energy bills straight away by switching off appliances that are on standby, as well as piling on more jumpers and blankets if you’re a bit chilly. But spring is a great time to start thinking about how you will keep heating costs down before the next winter comes, as some changes can take a while to put in place. Here are some of the best steps you can take towards more significant reductions to your heating costs.
Switch to a cheaper tariff
Switching is probably more popular now than it’s ever been. There’s more choice when it comes to energy suppliers and they change their prices all the time, so you can save yourself money simply by keeping an eye on who is offering the best deal.
Use price comparison websites for up to date information when deciding which energy company to go for. It won’t cost anything if you want to switch most tariffs — just watch out for exit fees if you try to leave a fixed rate tariff early.
Install smart meters and thermostats
Smart meters can show you how much energy you’re using in real-time, translated into pounds and pence, making it easier to manage and adjust your heating accordingly. They are free and provided by your energy company.
Smart thermostats save money by only heating the rooms you’re using. They can be controlled by your phone, so you never have to panic about forgetting to turn the heating off when you leave the house. Smart thermostats are not free, but they will work with every energy supplier whereas smart meters only work with the company that installed them, so bear that in mind if you’re planning to switch suppliers.
Insulate to prevent heat loss
Roofs are a massive factor in high energy bills as they let a lot of heat escape, so it’s important to have insulation installed if you don’t already. Windows lose a lot of heat, too, so go for double glazing to keep it in or apply plastic lining to single glazed windows for added protection from heat loss.
Go green with renewable energy
Greener options, like solar panels, often cost a bit more upfront but save you money over time, as well as the planet. Luckily, the government has affordable warmth schemes that mean you could get grants or support from your energy supplier to help towards energy-saving renovation costs, so be sure to do your research to see how much difference they could make to your home.
Upgrade to more energy-efficient models
Upgrading your boilers and appliances can save you money on your bills each month. New A-rated models of boilers are more energy efficient, and they have additional programmes and controls that allow you to customise your heating and stay on top of your bills.
Even older boilers can be made more energy efficient if they are regularly serviced. A boiler that isn’t working properly can often use more energy than it needs to in order to heat your home, so make sure your boiler has insurance or is under warranty to keep necessary repair costs to a minimum.
With these tips, your family can start planning what changes they will make to reduce what you pay to heat your home.
