Are you groaning under the weight of your household bills? If the answer is yes, we have compiled a list of areas where you can cut your bills and how you can achieve it.
Know what you actually need
Before signing up for any utility deal, know what you need so that you don’t pay for what you don’t use. For example, estimate the amount of gas or electricity that you need. This will help you to decide whether you will save money by getting metered or sticking to a flat rate.
You should also confirm if you need the service in the first place. For example, do you really need broadband in your household? If you are not stream videos or downloading large files, you could save by staying with your dial-in modem.
As your circumstances change, assess your situation to see if your needs have changed. If your Youtube consuming, water boiling, warm temperature loving teenager has left for college, you could adjust your utilities to match your present lifestyle.
Cut your bills by using less
If you are on any plan that allows you to pay for what you use, you can save some by watching you usage of such services. Incorporate it into your lifestyle to use less. Here are some practical ways to save:
Electricity and gas:
- Switch off the lights on in unoccupied rooms
- Open up the curtains during the day and let natural draft cool down the building, instead of the AC. Reverse the process during the winter to keep the heat in
- Put out your clothes to dry in the sun, instead of using the washing machine spinner
- Do not over boil water and do not boil water you don’t need
- Have more hot showers than hot baths. Also, take shorter showers
- Wear warm clothes instead of turning the heat on
- Lower the level of your thermometer. No you are not going to freeze by turning it down a degree but you can save £40 a year
- Time your home heating. If everybody leaves the apartment during the day, there is no point in heating an empty apartment.
- Turn off the heating when you sleep. You do not need warm temperature to fall asleep
- Warm the house at low temperature for a longer period, instead of short blasts of hot air. It is more efficient that way
- In the kitchen, cook with your pots closed. You will trap more heat in the pot which will make your food cook faster
- Wash clothes at room temperature
- Don’t leave gadgets on standby
Water:
- Don’t leave the tap running when brushing your teeth
- Wash up to save on water. Using a dishwasher can cost you up to 55 litres whereas a wash up uses around six litres of water
- Rinse plates in the basin, not directly under the tap. Same principle with washing vegetables in water inside a bowl, rather than directly under the tap
- Use a watering can in your garden rather than a hose or make use of rain water
- Use water-economical toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water used for flushing
- Fix dripping faucets. About 20 gallons of water may be wasting daily
Phone and broadband:
- Keep your conversations as short as possible
- Some packages allow you to call a prearranged list of numbers for less than the normal call rates. If your supplier has such, place your family and friends, or any other persons you call frequently on the list.
- Make your phone calls during off-peak periods when calls are cheaper
- Try to get the geographical number of any organisation you want to contact. Avoid numbers starting with 09 when possible
- Use VOIP for international calls to conserve your minutes
Combine your services
If you are signed on to different providers for your utilities, it makes sense to consider bundling up as much as possible because your supplier probably provides a range of related services. For example, you could get your gas and electricity from the same company and score a discount. Or get a combined package for your TV, broadband and phone. Or a smartphone family contract for members of your household.
Look around for deals on your household services
You should compare packages from different suppliers before settling down for any. Some will packages will give you more for the same amount but you have to look for them. Websites like broadbandchoices.co.uk will help you compare broadband services, while this tariff comparing tools will help you see the best electricity tariff for you.
Even after committing to a plan, be prepared to switch when a better utility package comes along. You can actually save up to £336 a year simply by switching your broadband company, according to broadbandchoices.co.uk. You will usually get a window period during which you can revert to your old plan so if the potential saving outweighs any penalty you might accrue, go ahead.
Sometimes, you simply have to ask your service provider for cheaper plans. If you hint you are switching, you could be offered better plans that are not advertised as they scramble to retain you as a customer.
Consider your billing/payment method
Switching to electronic bills and payments or to direct debits can get you discounts. On your broadband alone, you could save around £60 per year this way. Paying lump sums upfront can also net you some savings so if your finances allow you, ask your provider, although you have to weigh that against being locked in for a long time.
Switch to new, smart home appliances and do some home improvements
Older appliances are not as efficient as new ones, hence, you could be using more gas, electricity or water than you need to. And when you are getting newer models, look for smart ones. For example, smart thermometers can help you regulate your home temperature better and gives you more flexible control.
Home improvements will also save you money in the long run. Insulate your walls and draught-proof your living spaces to trap in more heat.
When you have problems paying your household bills
Various service providers have different plans for people who are having financial difficulties. Ask your provider for the ones you qualify for after explaining your situation. For example, you could qualify for WaterSure Scheme which will cap your water bill at a certain amount.
Sometimes, your service provider will agree to move your billing date forward or place you on a cheaper plan.
You could also explore government assistance programs to help you. Programs like the Winter Fuel Payment scheme meant for people born before Jan 6th, 1952, which can provide up to £300 savings.
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