4.IMPROVE YOUR APPLIANCES
Your energy provider will be able to give you an energy saving audit which will help you to identify inefficient energy use. Look at appliances such as fridges and cookers and check their energy rating. A new energy-efficient washing machine can save the most money on your bills, £308 per year, according to Which?
5.REPLACE YOUR BOILER
Conventional gas boilers are inefficient and expensive to run. From next year, there will be government grant schemes to help you to replace them with heat-pumps or biomass boilers as part of the ECO4 programme. Low income households will also be able to apply for grants for electric storage radiators and insulation. For more information, see simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/grants). In some parts of the country you might be able to consider a wood-burner, which could save you up to £400 a year. You can also save money by showering instead of bathing, and keep your thermostat down to 60 degrees.
6.USE THE MICROWAVE
A study by Utilita Energy has revealed the energy efficiency of the seven most frequently used cooking methods and ranked them according to how much they cost. The electric cooker came out worst, while the most energy saving to run is the microwave. Utilita and Iceland are to run free workshops to help customers shave around £600 off their annual outgoings. Iceland is also to introduce energy saving cooking guidance on its product packaging. If you do use an electric or gas hob, use the smaller burner, experts advise, and don’t preheat the oven, just add a few minutes onto your cooking time. Use lids on your pans to save energy.
