SAVING money on our energy bills will be key this winter as the cost of gas and electricity soars.
With the energy price cap going up again, nearly half of us are planning to ration our energy to save cash, according to National Energy Action (NEA).
A quarter of UK adults struggled to pay for their energy last year reports the NEA.
Now with the energy price cap rising by 10%, things are only going to get worse.
“Millions of households face another dreadful winter, resigned to increasing energy debt or not heating their homes at all,” says Adam Scorer, chief executive of the NEA.
The research found that 48% of us turned off more lights over the past three months, 40% reduced their baths and showers, 25% were running their washing machine less than they wanted to and 23% were opting for cold meals to avoid using the oven.
If you’re looking to cut back this winter, it’s all about being smart with your appliances.
Some gadgets use far more power than others, so knowing which ones to use less could make a big difference to your bills.
Here we look at the worst offenders and how not using them efficiently could add extra to bills this winter.
When it comes to power-hungry appliances, electric showers top the list.
They use a lot of energy to heat water quickly, much like a supercharged kettle.
But unlike your kitchen kettle, the water keeps running over the heating element for as long as you’re in the shower.
With a running cost of £2.87 an hour, these showers are the worst offenders, according to the NEA.
Experts recommend keeping your showers to a maximum of four minutes to save money.
If you have electric heating you may have an immersion heater to warm your water tank.
Some homes with gas central heating also have them as a back up for when the boiler is on the blink.
They are like a giant kettle heating up the water in your tank.
At 82p an hour they can quickly rack up your electricity bill.
But there is a clever way to save – switch to an Economy 7 or smart meter plan that gives you cheaper power at night.
Set your immersion heater on a timer to heat water during the off-peak hours, so you’re paying less for your hot water.
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Tumble dryers are infamous for their sky-high running costs – a typical cycle will set you back £1.56 because they need loads of heat to dry your clothes.
“The latest heat pump tumble dryers use considerably less electricity than older vented models, or if you’re able to, you can dry clothes outside or on an airer for free,” says Nick Palmer from the NEA.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers are the most energy thirst appliances, making up 14% of a typical energy bill.
Save by washing at lower temperatures and always doing full loads.
When it’s time to replace an appliance go for the highest energy rating you can afford.
For example, an A-rated 12-place dishwasher costs £35 a year to run, while a G-rated model is double that cost.
No-one is running their kettle for an hour at a time but if you were it would cost you 82p.
Boiling a kettle takes around four minutes, meaning each time you flick the switch, you’re spending roughly 6p.
Instead of constantly boiling the kettle consider making up a flask of tea or coffee to last you through the morning.
And don’t overfill your kettle.
Only boil what you need, and you’ll save £10 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
The average oven costs up to 66p an hour, according to the NEA.
Want to save? Try batch cooking.
There is plenty of space in the oven so try to fill it and cook multiple meals at once.
When it comes to reheating use your microwave instead – it only heats the food and not the air around it, so it’s much cheaper.
“Open your oven door as little as possible.
It loses around a quarter of its heat every time it’s opened.
Once you’ve finished cooking, open the oven door and let the excess heat warm your kitchen,” says Palmer.
An air fryer is a great option for smaller meals.
The Energy Saving Trust found that cooking a chicken breast costs around 14p in an air fryer, compared to 20p in the oven.
But don’t rush out and buy an air fryer specially, at around £100 you would have to do a lot of cooking to make it worth the price.
“Slow cookers are also more energy efficient than oven cooking, and cooking for hours on the hob.
It takes several hours to cook food but uses very little electricity to do so,” says Palmer.
Worried about covering your energy bills this winter? There is support available.
Check if you are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, worth between £200 and £300.
If you are 66 or older and you or your partner claim benefits like pension credit or working tax credit, you could claim.
The Warm Home Discount is £150 one-off payment towards electricity bills.
You will usually get it automatically – but you need to apply if you’re on a low income in Scotland.
You should check with your energy supplier if you’re on a low income and think you are eligible.
You can check using The Sun’s benefit checker in partnership with Turn2Us.
If you’re not on a fixed tariff then it may be worth considering one.
Many of the top fixed tariffs are now cheaper than the price cap and could save you money.
You can compare tariffs using uSwitch.com or Moneysavingexpert.com.
If you are struggling to top up your prepayment meter you might be able to get a fuel voucher.
Your local council or Citizens Advice can help you apply.
There are also grants available if you are falling behind on your energy bills.
Speak to your supplier to see what help they can provide.
Both Citizens Advice and StepChange can help you find out what support you can get with your energy bills.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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