How To Save Money On Your Energy Bills

With the cost of living at its highest in a decade, and over 22 million people affected by the recent increase in household energy bills, it's more important than ever to save money where you can.

We know it's not always easy to make changes - especially when they cost money - so we've put together some ideas to help

Quick wins

None of these ideas will cost you any money but will help you save both energy and money in the long run.

• Turn off your lights while they're not in use and save around £20 a year

• Filling your kettle with only the water you need will save you £11 a year

• Reducing your washing machine usage by 1 run a week and using a 30°C cycle could save you around £28 a year and avoiding tumble dryer usage wherever possible can save £60 a year

• Run your dishwasher only when completely full to reduce the amount of water you use and cut down by one run a week and you'll save £14

• Switch your appliances off - don't leave them in standby mode - and you'll save approximately £55 a year

• Turn your thermostat down by one degree, and you'll save £105 a year (be sure your home is warm enough during cold weather though, especially if you have young or vulnerable people living there)

• Spend one less minute in the shower each day and save £75 a year on your bills (plus an extra £60 if you're metered)

• Ditch the bath: based on a family of 4, if you each replaced 1 bath a week with a 5-minute shower, you'll save up to £20 a year on gas and water bills

Total potential savings = £448

Small initial cost

If you've worked your way through the above list and can afford to spend a little money to save more, you can:

• Replace your lightbulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. These use around 90% less energy than a traditional lightbulb and can last up to 30 years, saving you around £55 a year on average

• Draught-proof your windows, doors and chimneys. The cheapest way to do this is with draft excluders which start at around £10 and can save you up to £65 a year

• Swap out your showerhead for a water-efficient one from around £5.99. This can save you up to £55 on your gas bill and £45 on your water bill

• Fit an aerator onto your kitchen tap: this will reduce the amount of water coming out without affecting how it washes. These cost from around £5.00 and could save you £25 a year

Total potential savings = £245

Bigger initial cost

We know the below suggestions won't be an option for everyone but if you can, they're worth keeping in mind when making any major home improvements.

• Installing heating controls/thermostatic radiator valves: these will ensure you're only heating the rooms you need to and they can even learn your habits and adjust your heating accordingly. You can expect to pay around £600 for full installation in an average semi-detached home, and you'll save £130 a year - you'll get your money back in less than five years

• Replace your boiler: if your boiler is over 10 years old, it may be time to start thinking about swapping to an A-rated replacement. You could save around £200 a year on your energy bills

Total potential savings: £330

Check what benefits you're entitled to

• Cold Weather Payment: you may qualify for this if you're getting certain benefits and would receive a payment for each 7-day period of very cold weather (0°C or below) between 1 November and 31 March

• Winter Fuel Payment: you may qualify for this if you're on certain benefits or born before 26 September 1955 and could mean you get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills

• You can also find impartial advice for reducing your energy bills and along with details of home energy grants you may be eligible for on the government's Simple Energy Advice website

*figures from energysavingtrust.org.uk