Paying bills can put a strain on our finances, subsequently causing us worry. If you’re juggling lots of outgoings – particularly first time buyers who are suddenly realising the reality of being a homeowner, with all the financial commitments that brings – it can really stretch your budget.
Fortunately, help is at hand. There are ways to save money on your household utility bills – take a look at these six tips:
Reducing your energy bill
One of the biggest changes that you can make to your bill is ensuring you’re on the cheapest tariff for your gas and electricity. It’s important to do a price comparison, using a site that will go through everything with you and help find the best provider for you. Make sure you have your monthly bills to hand as you’ll need this information to help calculate the right tariff for you.
Get more than one service from a provider
Getting one or two services from a provider can often save you some money. This is because a provider may typically offer you bundle deals and discount incentives. For example, if you have a TV package from a company, get your broadband with them too and you’ll save yourself a lump sum money each month. This also gives you some negotiating power when it comes to reducing fees further.
Do your chores later at night
Depending on what tariff you’re on you should run your dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble dryer later on in evenings when energy costs are cheaper. A lot of utility companies will be charging more for the energy you use during peak times, so you should plan to use these appliances when it’s cheaper for you. You might want to consider using an economy 7 plan.
Unplug your appliances when you’re not using them
Try to get into the habit of not just turning appliances off when not in use but unplugging them, too. When you leave items plugged in, even though they’re turned off at the wall, they’ll continue to pull electricity through as they are still plugged in.
Adjust your heating
According to The Energy Saving Trust, turning down your thermostat by just 1C can save you up to £80 to £90 a year. So, lowering the temperature slightly is just as important as heating your home only when you need to. Most modern boiler systems come with control settings that allow you to set your heating and hot water to go on or off at different times. Ensure your settings fit your everyday life and routine – there’s no point having the heating on if there’s nobody there during the day.
Use LED light bulbs
This might seem a small step but switching to LED bulbs can make a difference to your utility bills. Although the upfront cost of these is a little more expensive, it’s definitely worth it in the long run as the energy it saves will eventually pay off the bulb price. You don’t have to replace all the bulbs in your home, just the ones used more frequently. LEDs last a long longer too, so your money stretches further.
Any of the above tips can help you save money on your utility bills. Combined together, you may be pleasantly surprised at the results.