Don’t be dismayed by the prospect of rising energy costs: at Confused.com, we know how you can reduce your bills – by switching to a better tariff, and getting yourself an energy monitor. And it won’t cost you a penny.
It will have escaped no-one that gas and electricity price rises continue unabated, with Scottish Power being the latest to squeeze UK households: just last week the company announced a rise of 2 per cent for gas customers, and 9 per cent for electricity customers.
So far, so bad.
And with the prospect of more cold snaps this winter, nobody wants a home that is anything less than lovely and toasty. But how can we achieve this without household costs spiraling out of control?
Well, keeping closer tabs on your energy consumption is one great way to reduce your bills. If you don’t already have an energy monitor, now’s the time to get one. It’s surprising just how much we use without realising; and how monitoring usage in real time can not only help form good habits, but also get you great savings for free.
For example, British Gas estimates that you can shave £110* off your annual bill with their EnergySmart monitor - giving a saving that’s not to be sniffed at. And the firm is currently offering a free energy monitor with most of its tariffs.
So how does the energy monitor work?
The monitor itself shows you how much energy you’re using at any given moment, and you can adjust your habits accordingly. It’s an absolute breeze to set up, and requires no technical expertise.
Another advantage of installing one is that your energy supplier will be updated of your usage in real time, effectively ending estimated billing. One of the most common complaints by customers is inaccurate billing – and now this can be a thing of the past.
For example, if a certain appliance is a big energy drain, you’ll notice this from your monitor, and this should encourage you to use it less. Many members of Confused.com staff can testify to this. Read one of our very own guinea pig’s accounts of how an energy monitor reduces your bills to find out more.
And there’s another way to save money
You may have been paying over the odds for your gas and electricity even before taking the current price hikes into account. If you haven’t switched your energy supplier or tariff recently, if you don’t pay by Direct Debit, or if you’re not on an online tariff, then there’s a very good chance that you’ll be able to reduce your bills. Simply compare gas and electricity tariffs with a Consumer Focus-accredited website such as Confused.com to find the right deal for your circumstances.
*Savings of up to £110 by reducing consumption by 12 per cent (by using the EnergySmart online consumption hub and electricity monitor). Savings are based on average annual consumption of 20,500 kWh for gas and 3,300 kWh for single rate electricity, paying by Monthly Direct Debit on British Gas standard tariff prices as at 10th December 2010, rounded average across all regions including VAT. Actual savings will vary depending on individual circumstances.
