If you are having trouble paying your energy bills, assistance is available.

The savings figures and information presented on this page are based on the energy price cap imposed in April 2022. These are currently under review and will be revised shortly following the government’s decision to freeze average energy bills at £2,500 for two years beginning October 2022.

The cost of living is currently at its highest level in a decade, with energy bills representing the most significant expense for the average household.

This post aims to give advice on how to reduce your energy use.

What is the energy price cap? 

In England, Scotland, and Wales, Ofgem sets the energy price cap. The cap was scheduled to increase by an additional 80% for 24 million people on October 1, 2022. Beginning this October, however, the British government has frozen typical energy bills at approximately £2,500 for the next two years.

This is nearly £1,000 less than typical bills would have been if the cap hadn’t been in place. Your energy bills could be higher or lower than £2,500 beginning in October, depending on whether you use more or less energy than the average household.

How can i reduce my energy use?

The following are some suggestions for decreasing energy costs:

Know your energy use

This stage is highly significant, as energy waste can only be avoided if its destination is known. For you to achieve this, knowledge of your energy bill is required. Examine the energy use breakdown to determine where you consume the most energy. After getting this information, you can start measures to decrease the amount you use.

Knowing what energy you are using could save you hundreds of pounds annnually in the long run.

Deactivate inactive mode

Numerous appliances continue to consume energy despite being shut off. Standby power is the term used to describe this, and it can generate a substantial portion of your energy expenditure. To reduce unused power consumption, appliances’ inactive modes can be deactivated.

This will induce them into a state of deep slumber when not in use, resulting in a substantial reduction in power consumption. With less power consumption, you could end up saving hundreds each year.

Turn all lights out

While it may seem obvious, applying energy conservation measures such as turning off lighting when not in use requires considerable effort. An estimated 20% of lighting costs can be saved by turning off lamps when not in use. In addition, energy conservation can be accomplished using LEDs and other energy-efficient lighting sources.

Compared to fluorescent bulbs, LEDs consume up to 90% less energy and last up to 25% longer. LED lightbulbs could bring your annual energy expenses down a lot.

Use cold water

Up to 20% of the energy used in a residence is used by dish and clothing laundry. When possible, use cold water to conserve energy. By replacing halfloads of dishes and laundry with complete loads, you can achieve energy savings of up to 50%. This is because washing a half load and a full load requires the same quantity of water and energy from the machine.

When washing dishes and clothing with cold water, around 90% of energy can be saved. Most garments are equally effective when cleaned in cold water versus hot water. Indeed, the use of cold water has the potential to increase the lifespan of clothes and save you money on your energy bills.

Install a draught barrier in your home

You can identify draughts entering your home with a smoke pencil if you are still determining their location. Keep the smoke pencil close to possible entry points for draughts, such as the areas surrounding windows and entrances. When smoke is brought in, a draught is produced.

After identifying the origins of draughts, measures can be taken to fix them. Finding where the drafts are in your hoe could make a massive difference, ensuring your home stays warm and lowers your energy use.

Purchase new appliances

Recent models may consume less energy than older appliances. The Energy Star programme estimates that the average household can save hundreds of pounds annually on energy costs by replacing older appliances with new, energy-efficient models. When replacing antiquated appliances, energy-efficient alternatives should be considered for installation.

Energy-efficient appliances accomplish the same functions with less energy than their old-fashioned counterparts.

Invest in a thermostat

A smart thermostat is capable of adjusting the climate by the user’s heating and cooling preferences. This may result in energy and cost savings on your energy expenditures.

Additionally, smart thermostats can be programmed to deactivate the heating and cooling systems when the user is absent. This has the potential to further conserve energy.

Make renewable energy investments

Solar panels are an example of a renewable energy investment to consider. By converting sunlight into electricity, solar panels can provide homes with power and decrease reliance on the electrical grid. In recent years, solar panels have become more affordable, and various government incentives are available to assist with installation expenses.

Ways to reduce your energy bills

Consumer Rights are here to assist low-income households during the cost of living spike. We can offer government-funded home upgrades through the ECO4 scheme if you qualify to help you and your family save money on household energy bills. The types of home improvements available are:

Additional support available from citizens’ advice

Citizens Advice in England and Wales is collaborating with us to help you save energy and money at home. Citizens Advice can guide everything from how to take a meter reading to what to do if your supplier goes bankrupt.

  • Determine what to do if you are having trouble paying your energy bills.
  • Determine which grants and benefits are available to assist you with paying your energy bills.
  • Consult with Citizens Advice for assistance.