As household costs keep rising, you'll need to make some lifestyle adjustments if you want to save money.
The good news is that you can take steps to cut your household bills save money. Your bills will likely drop a bit in the summer months, but if you're not careful about your consumption, you could end up paying the same as in winter. Follow these 6 steps when you're ready to stop out of control energy costs.
Change tariff / supplier
The first step to saving money on your energy costs is to make sure you have the right tariff. When you register with a supplier for the first time, you will receive an introductory tariff. If this happens, you can move to the standard rate without warning. And the standard tariff rarely offers good value for money. Try switching to a better tariff to lower your energy prices. If this doesn't work, you can also change suppliers. When you switch to a new supplier, you can access an introductory offer and save money. Many suppliers also pay their take-back fees from an existing contract, so they won't let you out of your pocket.
Update your technology
Old technology can drain electricity even when you are not using it. Old lightbulbs also often use up resources. Upgrading to efficient LED light bulbs and eliminating inefficient technologies can save you money and reduce your carbon footprint every month.
Install a smart meter
The easiest way to save money on your energy costs is to get a clear overview of what you're using first. By installing a smart meter, you can see how much energy you use all day and take action to reduce your consumption. It will soon become very clear how much energy is wasted by leaving lights on in unoccupied rooms or leave the television switched on when no one is watching. Having children in your house can be a great way to help them understand how much energy they are wasting. Make a game of it to see how low your energy consumption can be during the day.
Repair your thermostat
A defective thermostat can mean that your central heating is switched on longer than necessary. It is common for thermostats to become less accurate over time. All you need is a new battery or the correct calibration. By organizing an annual boiler service, you can save money through a more efficient central heating system. With a company like YourRepairYou can enjoy full central heating and boiler coverage and get a free annual boiler service.
Isolate your home
Insulation not only helps in the winter months, but can also help keep your home cooler in the summer. First remove drafts from windows and doors. You can also make sure that the chimneys are properly insulated when not in use. Finally, check whether your roof insulation meets the standard. If you want to keep your home cooler in the summer, use thick blackout curtains to keep the sun out. By blocking the sun, you can prevent your home from overheating, so you don't have to work so hard to cool it down. Open the windows at the opposite ends of your house to create a cool breeze. This can be far more efficient than relying on a fan to cool down your home.
Submit meter readings on time
You may be paying more for the electricity that you don't even use. If you do not submit meter readings regularly, your energy supplier has no choice but to estimate your measured values. If you use less than the average person, it can mean that you are paying too much each month without knowing it. The good news is that this money is not lost. Instead, your account will not be credited until you have submitted accurate meter readings. You can then either use this for future bills and lower your monthly payments, or you can request a refund and continue to pay the same amount each month. If you make it a habit to submit a meter reading regularly, you will receive more accurate invoices and can reduce your monthly payments. Remember, there is also a risk that your bills will be underestimated, so you may spend more than you pay for an extended period of time. This could mean you ended up with a big bill when you least expected it. For this reason, you should always keep an eye on the meter readings to keep your payments correct.
