BIG ENERGY SAVINGS WEEK - 18th - 24th JANUARY 2021
Have you heard of Big Energy Savings Week? No… we hadn’t either until very recently.
Big Energy Saving Week runs this year, from the 18th – 24th January 2021 and is a national campaing to help make people aware of ways they can reduce their energy usage and costs, as well as grants and benefits they could be entitled to.
We love helping people save money and doing our bit for the environment, so we’ve spent this week really focusing on our own usage in our home and sharing some tips and info for you.
These tips won’t just help you save money but will help the environment too.
TIPS TO SAVE ON HEATING YOUR HOME
- If you have a timer on your central heating, set it so your heating and hot water only comes on when you need it.
- Turn your radiators off or turn them down in rooms you’re not in often. This will save you wasting energy (and your money) on heating up empty rooms.
- If your radiator is cold at the top, when it’s on, your radiator may need bleeding. This is easier to do than you think and there’s some good tutorials on youtube or google. Click here for a good youtube tutorial but more can be found in google.
- Turning your heating down, even by just 1 degree, can save you about £60 a year. Make sure you’re keeping your home warm enough in the winter months though. Those who are elderly or have motability issues should make sure their temperature is no lower than 16 degrees!
- If you’re really wanting to keep your heating down, you can always snuggle up with a warm jumper and/or a blanket for that extra bit of warmth. In fact, on a winters night it’s often quite nice to get snuggled up cosy with a blanket, hot chocolate and a good book or film.
- Draught-proofing doors, windows and chimneys, can all prevent heat escaping your home and cold draghts from coming in. Check things like your skirting boards too for gaps. You can Buy DIY kits which are quite cheap so you can do the work yourself.
- Draft blockers / stoppers. You can purchase these online but they are also really easy to make yourself and a great little craft project.
- Curtains are good for keeping the home warm. Having a curtain over your windows or doors external doors, can help keep the warmth in and the cold out. Keep the curtains open during the day, when the sun is shining as this can help heat your home.
- Putting insulation around your hot water pipes can help reduce heat loss. Again, you can purchase this from any DIY store or online at quite a cheap price and is easy to do yourself if you can see the pipes. If they’re boxed in or not showing then you may need a professional to help.
- Check in your loft and any cavity walls are insulated. If you have solid walls you may want to have these insulated. Insulating your property may cost you a bit to have done but it could save you up to £315 a year off your bill. Grants are sometimes available to help with the costs as well. Click here for more information on the Green Home Grant
- When you’ve finished cooking, you can leave the oven door open slightly to help keep a room warm. Always make sure this is done safely!.
SAVINGS AROUND THE HOME
WATER
- Swapping your bath for a shower can really save on your energy. Baths use up more hot water than showers do. Keeping your showers short will also save you even more energy (and money).
- When washing your clothes, use a short wash and a lower temperature. Washing at 40 degrees will kills most germs. Reduce the washing by one cycle a week.
- Make sure washing machines and dishwashers are full before putting them on.
- Don’t leave taps running. If washing up, fill a bowl with water. When brushing your teeth use a glass of water to rinse your mouth and brush.
- When making a cup of tea / coffee don’t overfill the kettle. Only use enough water for the drinks you’ll be making. It may only be a little thing but you do it that often that it will really add up.
- Getting a water efficient shower head could help you save £38 off your gas bill and £53 off you water bill.
ELECTRICITY
- LED Lightbulbs can save you a lot of money. They use almost 90% less energy and can have a lifetime of 25,000 hours.
- Turn off your lights when you’re not in a room. Switching off the lights will save your more than it will use to start up the lightbulb. It could save you about £15 a year – maybe more if you live in a house with children lol.
- Turning off consoles or tv’s when they’re on standby could see you saving £35 a year.
- If your appliances are quite old, they may not be as energy efficient as new ones. Buying a new one could save you more money in the long run.
- Smart Meters can really help you save money in your home. You can track what you’re using and where you can save money if you use them correctly. Most homes can be fitted with smart meters and you shouldn’t be tied into being with one particular supplier if you have a smart meter.
- People often end up staying with the energy provider that supplied the house when they first moved in. Some people worry that it’s difficult to switch but it doesn’t have to be. If you want to have an MOT on your bills we’re always happy to help. In fact, our customers can get free LED lightbulbs for life and top of the range smart meters fitted for free. You can also reduce your bills every single month just from doing your normal everyday shopping or referring people you know (my personal favourite benefit with being a customer). If you want any more info or to see how much you can benefit , click here.
GRANTS & BENEFITS
Sometimes, even with doing your best to watch your energy usage. it’s not enough!
You may find yourself in a situation where you can’t afford to make your bill payments. If this happens to you, speak to your energy provider and keep them updated with your situation. They may be able to do something to assist you.
There are also some benefits that could be open to you, depening on your eligibility and situation.
WARM HOME PAYMENT
This is a payment (currently £140) that you could be entitled to which will be received as a rebate / credit on your bill. There are 2 ways of being eligible.
1. If you receive the Guaranteed Credit part of Pension Credit from 5th July 2020; or
2. If you’re on a low income or receiving certain benefits.
For more information go to https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
WINTER FUEL PAYMENT
If you’re born before 5th October 1954, you could receive between £100 – £300 to help pay your fuel bill. If you’re entitled to this and get the state pension or other benefits you should automatically receive this payment. If you don’t, you may need to claim it. For more information go to https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
COLD WEATHER PAYMENT
If you’re in receipt of certain benefits, you may be able to claim for the Cold Weather Payment. The Cold Weather Payment is paid when the weather in your area is recorded or forecast to be zero degrees or lower, for 7 consecutive days. To find out more information go to https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
WATER COMPANIES TRUST FUNDS & SCHEMES
If you are struggling to make payments with your water account (and actually other utility bills), it may be possible to get help from your water provider. Depending on your circusmtances, most water authorities can offer some sort of capped price plan. They often have grants available for those people who are struggling to meet their payments. This can include money to pay off not just water debts but loans to purchase equiptment like beds or white goods.
To see if you’re eligible, call your water supplier or go to their website to find full information on what they can offer. You may not definitely get anything, but if you need that help ask.
We hope you’ve found some good information and if you have any tips youself please pop over to our facebook page and share.
Keep safe and keep smiling.
The Money Savers Club