5 Big Energy Saving Tips Ahead Of Big Energy Saving Week

The cost of living isn’t getting cheaper for any of us, so the last thing you can afford to be doing is paying way too much on your energy bills than you should be.

We don’t help ourselves sometimes and need to be more conscious of the energy we use at home to try and make it more affordable.

This will be highlighted to UK householders during Big Energy Saving Week, which takes place from Monday January 20^th.

The purpose of this initiative, organised by Citizens Advice and the Energy Saving Trust, is to provide homeowners with advice on saving energy and direct them to relevant financial support.

Prior to it starting, we thought we’d get in early and offer 5 of our own energy-saving tips for customers:

1. Switch to a new energy supplier

Never switched energy supplier before? You could be missing out on an average annual saving of £300+.

It’d be madness not to switch as it’s such an easy thing to do.

Find your most recent gas and electricity bill and put your current energy usage into one of the many energy comparison sites e.g. uSwitch, to find a cheaper tariff.

Once you have committed to a new supplier, they will contact your old supplier to organise the switchover, which normally takes around 21 days. A dual-fuel package is usually best, and a fixed-rate tariff may offer the best value for money.

2. Stop leaving tech on standby

A lot of people don’t realise that using the standby function for their stereo, TV and games console is a money drainer.

MoneySuperMarket estimates that leaving such items on standby, rather than taking the time to turn them off properly, can cost householders an extra £86 a year.

Some will leave their digital TV box on standby because they are recording something when out of the house, but why would you need to do that then when you get virtually everything on catch-up TV?

3. Ask your energy supplier for a smart meter

Being able to see how much energy you’re consuming in real-time should stop any bad energy-related habits you have, which you can get with a smart meter.

Energy suppliers are obliged by the Government to offer customers a smart meter, if they want one.

The on-screen display will tell you how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence, and prevent the need for estimated bills, making them more accurate.

4. Dry your washing outside

We know that you can’t do this right now, but it won’t be long until the weather starts improving.

Once it does, hang out your washing to dry on a washing line outside, instead of putting it on a radiator or in your tumble dryer.

Tumble dryers are one of the worst culprits for consuming energy.

5. Get energy efficient windows and doors

Does it get cold in your house during the winter months? If so, it will be your windows and doors that need changing as they’re obviously failing to keep the weather out.

Only buy new windows and doors with a high energy rating to replace them. At Mitchell Glass, our replacement windows are A+ rated as standard – you should expect nothing less than that.

Put in a request for our Windows & Doors brochure to find the most suitable replacement window and door style.