Nobody enjoys receiving a bill in the post. And with the current trend of rising energy charges, now would seem the right time to cut the fat from your utilities. Follow Confused.com’s simple steps to detoxing your bills, and you could save yourself some money in the New Year.
Detox Step 1: Detox your energy tariff
Detox Step 2: Detox your energy usage
Detox Step 3: Detox your broadband
Detox Step 1: Detox your energy tariff
Did you freeze charges at a 2007 level?
Following the recommendation to plump for a fixed-price tariff given by Confused.com (in the article ‘Power Charges Surge’) in December, many utilities companies have raised the price of their most popular tariffs. In fact, at the time of writing, it is only EDF who still offer a fixed-price tariff. Did you switch your tariff in time? If so, given protection against any other fuel price rises during the course of the year, you will certainly make some handsome savings in 2008.
Even if you didn’t switch in time to catch a fixed-price tariff, all is not lost. You can still save money in 2008 by switching your energy supplier, ensuring that you have the right broadband package for you, and taking steps to reduce energy usage around the house. How? Read on…
Switch on to switching supplier
Some people are put off by the perceived minefield of switching energy supplier - but it may not be as painful as you think! For a start, you can switch supplier as often as you like - and there will be no changes to any pipes, meters or cables involved. Plus, you may well save money if you've never switched before, or haven't switched for a while. If you pay annually or quarterly, you are also likely to make a saving if you switch to direct debit.
Confused.com saved energy customers £1.5 million in 2007! On average you could save up to £173*! Click here to compare energy tariffs, and for other great deals.
*The average saving made by 8,856 Confused.com energy customers (who submitted their former energy costs) between January and September 2007 was £173.38.
Detox Step 2: Detox your energy usage
Reduce your fuel bills
Even if you are on a more costly tariff, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take steps to reduce your bills. Here are a few suggestions for saving on power usage around the house:
- Standby inaction
Steps are being taken to phase out the standby function on most appliances. And it’s no surprise, considering that an estimated 8% to 10% of all household electricity usage is squandered on electrical equipment left on standby. So you can make a significant saving – not to mention reduction in carbon emissions - by turning things off properly.
- No charge
Similarly it makes good sense to ensure that mobile phone chargers and other power supplies are switched off at the mains. It is estimated that 95% of all energy used by phone chargers in the UK is wasted, due in the main by being left switched on at the wall. Switch it off!
- Embrace the darkness
It’s an easy habit to get into, but it will save a great deal of energy just to switch off a light when the last person leaves the room. In addition, the switch to energy-efficient bulbs is a prudent one. They waste considerably less energy (they use 75% less electricity), and last a good deal longer than ordinary bulbs (up to 12 times), which more than makes up for their slightly higher cost.
- The big chill
A fridge or freezer will have to use more energy to keep your produce cold if there are big gaps of open space inside. Either keep your fridge/freezer well stocked, or – if it’s a while before your next big shop – stuff carrier bags with newspaper and keep them in the spaces.
- Going off the boil
Only boil as much water as you need each time in your kettle. Heating water is comparatively expensive, so it’s worthwhile making sure that all you boil goes to good use.
- No longer dirty at thirty
Most washing powders nowadays will give your clothes a thoroughly good clean even at 30°C. So why not reduce the temperature at which you do your wash? In addition, be sure that you always wash a full load, rather than small amounts at a time. This will save on both energy and washing powder.
- Don’t overheat
It’s a good idea to fine-tune your home heating habits. Why not turn your thermostat down a degree, or adjust your timer so that your house is only being heated when necessary? Plus, it is more energy efficient to heat your house at a lower temperature over a longer time, rather than in short bursts of high heat.
- Insulation – that’s what you need
Investing in loft and cavity wall insulation needn’t cost a packet, but it just might save you a big lump on your energy bill.
Detox Step 3: Detox your broadband
Making savings doesn’t stop at energy…
Monthly charges can come in many shapes and sizes. It’s not only gas and electric bills that will drop through your letterbox and burn a hole in your bank balance. Why not run comparisons through Confused.com, and see if you can save money on your broadband, home phone and digital TV? Just enter your postcode or landline number, and we can see what options Confused.com can find for you in your area. Do so by clicking here!
Know what you’re getting
The range of packages available changes constantly – so how does one identify the best deal? If you want to ensure you’re getting the best price for your broadband service, then it’s best to keep abreast of exactly what your package is providing you with – and exactly how much you are being charged for it!
For example, find out if an ADSL package includes the price of line rental. If not, and you’re not already paying for a phone line, can you get cable in your area, and is it cheaper? Also, with varying costs for installation, and limited time only offers, it is an idea to calculate the overall cost of going with a broadband provider for the whole year or contract term. A low monthly rate with additional costs may end up costing more ultimately than a seemingly more expensive monthly fixed rate. So be sure to do your sums before committing!
Get what you need
When thinking of a package, ask yourself if you really need all of the features available. If it is a bundle, will you necessarily watch digital TV? If you don’t play games online, or watch high-quality streaming TV, do you need enormous bandwidth for your broadband? If the provider has a lower cost package with a less generous download limit, ask yourself if you really need to download that much stuff. For regular emailing and surfing, you may find you fall well within the most modest download limit. Don’t be influenced by big numbers in attractive fonts – just get what you need, and you won’t end up paying through the nose for features you never use.
To compare current broadband packages on Confused.com, click here
If you follow these steps, hopefully opening your next set of bills won't be such a nightmare. Best of luck!
Click here to see if you can save on your utilities, and many other great deals
