With summer taking off in the UK and many households turning down their heat, it may be easy to forget about last winter’s steep heating costs. However, a consumer expert warns this is “not the time to take your eye off the ball”, suggesting several methods to reduce your bills now before potential energy price increases later in the year.
From the first of October, the per-unit price cap for energy is expected to rise by 12 per cent to an annual cost of £1,762 for an average household. This increase will wipe out the seven per cent drop witnessed on July 1, ushering in an almost £200 average hike before the chillier winter months set in.
At present, most UK households are on standard variable tariffs regulated by the energy price cap. Uswitch suggests that with current energy prices relatively low, now might be “a good time to get a fixed deal”, ahead of the anticipated increase.
However, shopping around isn’t the only method households can utilise to save on their energy bills before winter. Simple measures like turning off heating during warmer temperature periods can result in savings or create credit with your supplier.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert from Uswitch, advises: “With energy prices falling and the temperature rising, it’s easy to forget about the power bill, but now is not the time to take your eye off the ball.”, reports the Mirror.
“There are a few simple summer swaps you can make around the home that will cut your energy bill and put more money back in your pocket. Although switching off the heating is the biggest contributor to energy savings, other small changes will quickly add up.”
“If the weather is dry, people with a garden or balcony can make the most of the warmer weather to dry clothes rather than using expensive tumble dryers.”
Uswitch’s representative, Ben, advised: “Anyone making changes to how they use energy around the home can track their usage using apps, such as Utrack by Uswitch, to see what impact this is having on their bills.”
“With the price cap falling on July 1 but predicted to rise again in October, this could be a good time to get a fixed deal. Households on a standard variable tariff, or for those coming to the end of a fixed deal, should run a comparison to assess their options.”
Other summer energy-saving tips provided by Uswitch include switching off the heating if venturing away. While in the winter it may be beneficial to heat your home for several hours daily even if absent, during these warmer months, this isn’t as necessary and it’s an expense you can curtail.
Consider hot tubs carefully. If you are thinking about buying a hot tub, consider how efficiently they run when picking one.
Pricier hot tubs are likely to be better insulated and could be a better investment as they will cost less to run long term. Make sure you get a well-fitted cover that forms an airtight seal to avoid losing heat and using more energy.
Let the grass grow. At only 25p a time on average, mowing the lawn isn’t a big contributor to energy bills, but households looking to make savings could reduce the number of times they cut the grass – which can also be beneficial for insects, hedgehogs and wild flowers.
Use outdoor space to cut your laundry bill. If you have a garden or balcony, you can make use of the warmer weather by hanging clothes outside to dry.
Use solar power. Solar-powered lights can make a great alternative to electric garden lighting.
They don’t need a power source, so will save you money in the long run.
