Ron’s top ten tips to cut your energy bills

Following the 2 per cent increase in gas and electricity prices next month Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox gives his top ten tips on how householders can reduce their bills.

From October 1 until December 31 this year, the annual bill for a dual-fuel direct debit household using a typical amount of energy will be £1,755, up £35 a year on the previous cap.

“Although this is unwelcome news as winter approaches,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park, “there are still some simple measures residents can take to save money.”

1. Take a reading: Note your meter reading on the day the cap changes so you are not charged for estimated usage at the wrong rate. Customers with working smart meters do not need to submit a reading as their bill is calculated automatically.
2. Shop around: Fixed-price deals are not affected by the energy price cap, which changes every three months. They offer certainty for a set period for a year and longer. But if energy prices drop when you are on the deal, you could be stuck at a higher price and you may also have to pay a penalty to leave a fixed deal early.
3. Go direct: Paying via direct debit each month rather than receiving a bill every three months will save money. Around 20 million households pay by direct debit, with eight million paying three monthly, and six million on prepayment meters.
4. Don’t feel the draught: Draughtproofing, such as by doing repairs and putting in home insulation to block unwanted cold air entering your home through gaps and cracks around windows, doors, walls or around pipes will mean less energy needed to heat your home.
5. Save water and money: Limit your time in the shower to four minutes. The charity WaterAid has compiled a playlist of four-minute songs to help you keep to time.
6. Seeing the light: Replacing traditional and halogen lightbulbs with energy efficient LEDs can save an average household up to £45 a year.
7. In the wash: You can save around £13 a year just by washing at 30 degrees and reducing your washing machine use. Dry clothes on racks inside the home where possible or outside in warmer weather instead of using a tumble drier which will save £50 a year.
8. Full time: Running your dishwasher when it’s full will reduce the amount of water you use and cut your bills.
9. Don’t just stand by: Four appliances you should switch off completely and never leave on standby are: Gaming consoles and Satellite TV boxes which account for approximately six per cent of a household’s energy bill. Leaving a microwave on standby can mean around an extra £3 to £6 per year in electricity while a desktop computer left on standby can cost around £10 to £15 per year.
10. Where to get help: The Household Support Fund, introduced in September 2021 to help vulnerable customers, has been extended until March 2026. The Warm Home Discount scheme will see those on means-tested benefits have £150 automatically taken off their bills, no matter the size of their property. In addition, the government’s Fuel Direct Scheme can help people to repay an energy debt directly from their benefit payments. Finally, suppliers must offer customers affordable payment plans or repayment holidays if they are struggling with bills.

For those wanting more advice about reducing their energy bills, call Ron on 0845 474 6641 or contact us here.

Caption: Lightening the load – Replacing traditional light bulbs with energy efficient LEDs can save an average household up to £45 a year on their energy bills.