15 top tips for keeping your energy bills lower

As the winter chills bite, storms ravage the UK and energy bills look to be heading up in April, we’ve put together a few tips to help you save energy and save money too. They are very straight forward and if you continue to think about energy usage this way you will be lowering your carbon footprint too.

In the kitchen

1. Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly. The more they ice up, the harder they have to work, and the more energy they use and the bigger your energy bills will be. 
2. An outdoor washing line is the most energy-saving way to dry clothes. If it’s raining, an indoor airer is better than a tumble dryer.
3. Don’t keep appliances on standby – switch off those that can be switched off when you aren’t using them.
4. When you’ve been cooking something in the oven, leave the oven door open afterwards for a while, so the heat can warm up your kitchen.
5. Use LED lighting and energy efficient appliances.
6. Don’t overfill your kettle – if you just boil the amount you need
7. Whenever possible, use a cold cycle in your washing machine. It’s a simple way to save money and energy and, unless your clothes are particularly grimy, it should work just as well as a hot wash.
8. If you’ve got one, use a microwave or a slow cooker, rather than a conventional oven whenever possible. A microwave uses about half as much energy as a normal oven, and a slow cooker can be up to 75% more efficient.
9. Only start your dishwasher when it’s full. A half load uses just as much electricity and hot water as a full load.

The rest of the house

1. Turn down the thermostat. Even just one degree lower can save you around £80 a year.
2. Take showers rather than baths. According to the Energy Saving Trust, if everyone in a family of 4 swapped one bath a week for a 5-minute shower, they’d save up to £20 a year on gas bills.
3. Don’t leave the tap running while you’re cleaning your teeth, shaving or washing – a running tap can waste up to 6 litres of water a year.
4. Switch appliances to standby and ensure you unplug phone chargers once phones/tablets have charged.
5. Switch to LED lightbulbs and only switch lights on in the room you are using.
6. Make sure you home is insulated. The most heat escapes from the roof so loft insulation is important.

If you or someone you know is struggling with energy bills and a cold home, contact the number/email below. In conjunction with Peterborough City Council, Rutland County Council and South Cambridgeshire Council we offer the #LEAP service to help those that need it. For further advice take a look at the LEAP website.

 Freephone 0800 060 7567 support@applyforleap.org.uk