It my be summer, but we still rack up fuel bills. Just think about all those extra showers you keep having. It all soon adds up.
Save £100
The average UK household is paying around £305 a year for gas and £260 for electricity - and the typical household can cut at least £100 a year off their fuel bills without losing either warmth or comfort by simply using energy efficiently and effectively.
Our top 10 tips for cutting your fuel bills
1. Check that you are using the cheapest supplier
It is easy to do this at Tiscali by using our
cut your bills calculator, which is supplied by uswitch, and offers free, independent, impartial advice. The site calculates how much you can save - based on your current bills. So, in the comfort of your own home or at your desk you can find out how much better off you would be if you changed suppliers.
2. Switch off unnecessary lights
A simple, straightforward tip - but difficult for families with teenagers! In a typical home, lighting accounts for 20% of the electricity bill so if you can cut back here you will save money.
3. Change to energy saving bulbs
Light bulb manufacturer Osram, says: "With the latest technology energy saving light bulbs, you get virtually the same light output as from an ordinary light bulb, for just 20% of the electricity consumption. What's more, they last up to 15 times longer." Osram has calculated that an ordinary (incandescent) 100W light bulb replaced with an energy saving 20W leads to a direct saving for the household of £80 over the lifetime of the new light bulb, even allowing for the higher cost of the energy saving light bulb.
4. Improve your insulation
As much as 20% of your energy bill can be saved by good loft insulation. Lofts should be insulated to a minimum depth of 150mm (6 inches) - preferably 200mm (8 inches) - and this can be done by either a contractor or DIY. Mineral wool, fibreglass and recycled paper products all work well. Remember to wear a facemask, goggles and protective clothing if you do it yourself, and leave sufficient gaps around the eaves to avoid condensation. Do not insulate under water tanks that may freeze and ensure all pipework and the loft hatch are insulated. This will cost around £150-£300 but will save around £60-£70 a year.
5. Draughtproof windows and doors
Draughts are the most uncomfortable and obvious signs of a badly insulated house and can be fixed easily with minimal DIY skills. This will cost around £45-£60 saving roughly £10-£20 a year.
6. Insulate your immersion
Fit a good insulating jacket to your hot water tank if it does not have sprayed foam on the outside. The cost of around £10 will soon be met via savings of around £10-£15.
7. Put aluminium foil behind any radiators fitted to outside walls
Ordinary kitchen foil will do, or you can buy specially designed panels from DIY stores Cost: up to £10 Saving: Around £5-£10.
8. Turn your central heating thermostat down
Just turning it down by 1 degree will save you around £10 a year.
9. Close your curtains at dusk
This helps cut down heat loss.
10. Forget standby
Only use the heat and light appliances you really need - don't leave TVs or videos on standby. Also switch off this PC screen when it's not being used!
Want to know more?
Find out more about saving energy by visiting the National Energy Foundation foundation.
