It can be hard dealing with your energy bills and you could be looking for ways to cut your energy costs. You might be able to save money by making your home more energy efficient. For example by using your central heating effectively, keeping your home warm for longer and making changes so you use less electricity and gas.
The Simple Energy Advice website has some great advice on saving energy. By entering your postcode, you can get personalised advice tailored to your home. Here are some top tips to help make sure your home is using energy as efficiently as possible, such as:
1. Reduce tumble dryer usage
Tumble dryers use considerably more energy than washing machines. Avoid drying small loads at a time and select the fastest spin setting on your washing machine to help limit the amount of time your clothes are in the dryer. If you can dry clothes outside when the weather is dry, you can use the dryer less often and cut your electricity use over the year.
2. Low energy lighting
Fitting low energy light bulbs which require less electricity than a standard light fitting will help cut your electricity use.
3. Turn down your thermostat
Try turning the temperature down by one degree and wait for a day to see how it feels. If you turn down your thermostat by a fraction it will reduce your heating bills and you most likely will not feel any difference.
4. Draught-proofing windows and doors
This is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy. Block up unwanted gaps that are letting cold air in and warm air out. By saving warm air means you’ll use less energy to heat your home.
They are also able to show you relevant information, such as grants and schemes that might be available to you.
Energy Company Obligation
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme in which the largest suppliers are obliged to support low income and vulnerable households make their homes more energy efficient.
Examples of what’s available include help with cavity wall insulation and loft insulation, and in some cases, replacing a broken heating system or upgrading an inefficient boiler or heating system.
You can qualify for the ECO if you claim certain benefits and meet other requirements.
Renewable Heat Initiative
You could get money towards renewable heating costs in your home as part of the Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI). This scheme supports renewable heating systems like heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar water heating.
If you install a system that meets all the scheme requirements, you can be paid based on the amount of renewable heat made by your heating system for seven years.
You can apply for the Domestic RHI scheme if you either own your home or are a private or social landlord.
For more information you can visit Simple Energy Advice.
At Citizens Advice in West Sussex, we are offering energy advice appointments to help support you with your energy needs. To find out more, get in touch and contact us.
