Tips on Reducing Utility Bills

The following tips represent some ways of reducing your energy usage and reducing your utility bills.

Use energy saver light bulbs. If you need a light left on overnight then use the low power lights that plug into a wall switch. Buy those that turn off automatically when it is not dark.

Use a programmable thermostat to control when the central heating is on and when the hot water is heated.

If your hot water is heated by gas then ensure that the electric heating of the hot water tank is not on.

Use energy efficient bulbs throughout the house. They use a lot less electricity and the bulbs last a great deal longer than conventional bulbs (which may not be allowed to be sold in the UK within the next few years!)

Invest in loft insulation. You can lose up to 25% of heat through lofts that are not sufficently insulated. You may have insulation already but you may be able to improve heat loss by making it thicker

Invest in cavity wall insulation where possible. You can prevent significant heat loss through the walls.

Prevent draughts through external doors. You don't want cold wind streaming into the house. A curtain covering the front and back doors can make a real difference in the house on a cold night. It also prevents heat loss when people go in and out of the house.

Windows need thick curtains as well to keep the heat in the house, especially at night. The curtains can be kept drawn in bedrooms and other roomes which not be used during the day. Of course double glazing would be a lot easier and more effective than thick curtains

Fix leaking taps! You are paying for every drip and if it is a hot tap that is dripping then you are paying for the wasted heat as well.

Showers can save money compared to baths. Mind you my daughter seems to use as much water having a shower as I would having a bath! Don't let showers run for ages before people use them. It is a waste of water and whatever fuel yo use for heating water

Toilets may be set to use too much water each time that they are flushed. You can adjust it to reduce the amount of water flushed away each time but don't reduce it to the point where you have to flush it twice in order to clear everything away!

Many electrical appliances can be left on standby when not being used. You may be using a significant amount of electricity if you have a number of appliances left on when you are not actually using them.

Turn TVs and monitors off overnight and when not in use. Do not just put them on standby. The power used by those little red lights does make a difference!

it is essential that you get a working carobon dioxide monitor in the house if you are going to make efforts to prevent heat loss from your house.

Fire alarms should be installed (with batteries that are not flat!)

If you want a freezer then get a chest freezer. An upright freezer seems to lose so much cold air whenever it is opened. A chest freezer does not have the same problem.

Run washing machines on economical programs and with full loads.

Run tumble driers with full loads, or use washing lines if possible.

Keep your heating thermostat as low as you can cope with. Don't have the heating on when you do not need it!

Use a microwave where possible instead of turning on the oven. But make sure that you following the cooking instructions of the food package.

If you have lights outside the house, perhaps to light the front door area, then install a motion sensor so that the light is only on when people are there.

I welcome any additional tips on energy saving. Use the 'Contact Us' option to email us.