How to Save Money on your Gas and Electric Bills

Gas and energy bills have been increasing recently, and as the nights grow longer and the colder weather sets in, the extra cost of your energy bills can sneak up on you. That’s why finding ways to make even the smallest of saving can make a big difference to your bank balance.  

Making a change doesn’t have to mean making a big sacrifice to your lifestyle. Our Sustainability team have shared some easy tips for saving money on your energy bills.

Five tips to save money on your energy bills

1. Turn off standby appliances 

Turn appliances off at the plug to save an average of £80 a year per household. 

Don’t leave electricals on standby either – laptops cost approx. £9 annually, while games consoles can be as much as £23 each. 

Use low-cost timer plugs to schedule turning appliances off or plug sockets that can be turned on and off via your phone. 

2. Turn down your thermostat 

Over half the money spent on energy bills annually goes to heating and hot water – and turning your heating down by just one degree could save up to £90 a year. 

A cold draught can cause your home to lose heat – so using a draught excluder or a draught-proofing kit is a good way to keep your home feeling warm and cosy. 

Sealing cracks in your floors and skirting boards, lining your letterbox, and blocking an unused chimney can all reduce your heating bills by up to £40 a year. 

3. Be smarter about water 

You can save around £25 a year by washing up in a bowl rather than using a running tap, and up to £45 a year by boiling only the water you need in the kettle. 

Buying a more efficient showerhead can save you as much as £18 per person on energy bills yearly. 

You can also fit a shower timer in your bathroom, which could save you around £43 per person annually, if you shower for just five minutes a day. 

4. Buy efficient appliances and use them efficiently 

When it is time to swap an appliance, choosing one with a high energy-efficiency rating is always worth the investment. 

Fridge / Freezer – doors should not be left open any longer than necessary, and food needs to be left to cool down before placing it inside. 

Microwaves – work most efficiently when a pierced covering is placed over the food, this will hold in moisture and speed up the cooking time. 

Washing Machines – should be set to a cooler wash, around 30 degrees, to save up to 57% on running costs vs. washing at 40 degrees. Also, put on a bigger load of washing, less often. 

Tumble Dryers – are best used when you can’t dry clothes naturally, outside or by using a dehumidifier indoors. Tumble drying similar fabrics will also mean shorter cycles. 

Dishwashers – should be fully loaded before running a cycle, and smaller items such as plates are better handwashed in a small bowl of water. 

All Appliances – need to be kept clean to ensure the best performance, i.e. descaling your kettle, cleaning your washer/dryer lint trays, and dusting your fridge coils. 

5. Monitor your usage 

If you haven’t got one already, speak to your landlord about getting a smart meter. 

Keeping a watchful eye on your consumption levels can help you to spot areas where you can make changes. 

Want to reduce your energy consumption and maximise your savings even further? You can find more tips on the Energy Saving Trust website. 

Visit our Sustainability webpages for the latest sustainability news and events at Manchester Met.