With the cost of living on the rise, we've rounded up some advice on how to reduce your energy usage and keep your bills low.
The last month has been dominated by talk about the energy price cap increasing by 54% and the impact this will have on the millions of Brits whose household bills are set to rise by around £700 over the next calendar year as a result.
Designed to ensure customers aren't overcharged for their energy, the price cap is rising because the price of wholesale gas has increased four-fold over the last year. Because energy companies simply can't afford to supply gas for less than they have paid for it, customers are now having to pay more for it too.
Under normal circumstances, customers could simply shop around for a cheaper deal from a different supplier. Unfortunately, every energy company is in the same boat, so no cheaper deals are available.
So what should I do?
The best thing most people can do is stay on a capped tariff or move to one as soon as their current deal comes to an end. In the meantime, there are plenty of little changes you can make in your everyday life to become more energy-efficient and keep your bills to a minimum.
These include:
Setting your washing machine to a lower temperature
Programming your machine to wash at 30 degrees and no higher will reduce the amount of energy your washing machine uses by approximately 40% per year. Wait until you have enough washing to do a full load before turning it on too - doing a full cycle with the drum half-empty is a waste of water.
Switching to LEDs
Although they're slightly more expensive, LED lights last approximately 40-times longer than regular light bulbs and are around 90% more energy-efficient, so switching to them is a great way to save money in the long term.
Turning lights off
Speaking of lights, getting into the habit of turning yours off every time you leave a room unattended - and encouraging your family to do the same - will save you a surprising amount of energy each month.
Utilising the microwave
Microwaves cook food much faster than ovens or grills and don't require preheating, so use yours as much as possible and your energy usage will reduce dramatically.
Not overfilling the kettle
Only boiling the exact amount of water you need will knock around £11 a year off your electricity bill.
Taking shorter showers
Reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower to four minutes per person, per day, could save a typical household £65 a year on their energy bills.
Not leaving the heating on
As we head into summer, most people will find themselves using their heating less but if you do need to use it, use timers and thermostats to make sure you're only heating your house when absolutely necessary - it will save the average household approximately £70 per year.
How Plane Saver can help
If you're struggling with the cost of living, don't panic - help is available. We offer a range of savings accounts and affordable loans that can help ensure your energy bills are always paid on time. Click here for more information.