How to save on your gas and electric bills

One of the most popular questions we get asked by our customers when servicing their boilers is how they can save on their gas and electric bills.

With colder temperatures and darker days upon us, we thought we’d shed some light on the things you can do to save you money all year round.

1. Use Less, save more

It may sound obvious but the easiest way to save money is to use less. You may be surprised at how much extra you’d save by cutting down on your consumption – more on that later where we’ll cover some tips and tricks to help you do this!

2. Pay Bills by Direct Debit

Another simple way to save is to pay your bills by direct debit. This is usually cheaper over the year and gives you peace of mind that you won’t miss any payments, as long as there’s money in your account to cover this. Paying monthly spreads the cost of your energy bills throughout the year so you don't get any unwanted surprises come the Christmas period.

3. Radiator care

Check that your radiators are working properly and if certain radiators have cold spots this may be caused by trapped air. Where necessary bleed the radiators to release the trapped air to help with efficiency. Another tip would be to only turn your boiler on when it’s needed, thermostatic radiator valves can help you here. If you don't want to heat every single room in the house you can turn off the radiators that are not needed and shut the door to prevent a draught. Finally keep your radiators clear from furniture or large objects so the heat is not blocked and the air can freely circulate the room.

4. Invest in insulation

Depending on your circumstances you may want to invest in your home to make it more economical and cost efficient. Insulating your roof, loft or walls could save on average £130 in heating bills per year. You can also look at changing single glazed windows to double glazed one to prevent further heat loss.

5. Out with the old boiler…

If you’re still using an old boiler you might want to look at giving this the cold shoulder and have it replaced. New boilers are more efficient at heating your home and going from an efficiency G rated boiler to an A rated boiler could save the average house £650 a year on energy bills.

6. Consider smart

Look at installing a smart thermostat and learn how your particular central heating system works so you can use it in the best and most cost effective way. Some thermostats can be controlled from your mobile phone so you don’t have to come home to a cold house or have the heating on when no one’s home.

So to wrap up, there are many things you can do to cut down the cost of heating your home and reduce the amount of energy you use. Some suggestions are considerably more expensive than others however if you are prepared to make some long term investments you will most definitely reap the benefits.

Quick fire tips on keeping your home warm for less

· Avoid using electrical heaters as these are the least cost efficient way of heating your home

· Keep in heat by closing your curtains on an evening as up to 25% of your house's heat can be lost through the windows, especially in winter

· Seal your chimney when it is not being used as this will also prevent heat loss.

· Investigate switching energy suppliers to see if you can get a cheaper deal elsewhere, especially if you haven't switched within the last three years.