Beating the Energy Companies: 4 Tips for Cheaper Energy Bills
Guest Post by Rosie French
Wholesale energy costs might be lowering, but monthly prices for the end consumer are going up. Bill prices have been rising above the rate of inflation for a long time in the UK, so knowing how to minimise your costs is essential. Sieving through the vast amount of information on this topic around the web can be tiring, so we’ve created a short guide to beating the energy companies.
Energy prices/BTU, 1980-2030 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Price Comparison
Sites like Go Compare are excellent at giving you a top-down picture of what the energy market looks like at any given time. The best thing you can do when you’re looking to save money on your bills is be proactive. Look for fixed term prices, as variable cost rates can fluctuate wildly depending on fundamental factors such as wars in the raw-material countries or strikes at production plants.
Insulation Grants
There are lots of ways to get free roof and loft insulation if you’re in the right financial circumstances. If you can’t afford to pay for insulation outright, you could be entitled to file a claim for the job to get it done for free. So, take a look at an online tool that explains whether you’re eligible or not.
Natural Light
Although you might take preventative measures at night to ensure that your thick, winter-proof curtains are closed to prevent heat loss, during the day you should open them wide to let in the natural sun light. As it passes through the window it is magnified and the light energy is transferred into heat. Remember, drawing in heat from the sun could let you keep your heating off for an extra half-hour every day, saving you a fortune on your overall bill.
Low-Tech DIY
There are plenty of DIY fixes that can prevent heat loss at home. For instance, try placing sheets of tin foil against the walls behind your radiators to prevent heat escaping through the walls to the outside. Similarly, you could create draft excluders to help block drafts which lower the air temperature in your rooms.
If you’ve been worried about the price hikes in the energy sector and wondering about how you’re going to come up with the funds to pay your new bills, use some of these techniques and you’re sure to see the effects of the new prices minimised. Nobody wants to pay for expensive energy, so beat the energy companies and save money.
