Since the triggering of the financial crisis in 2008, it seems that households in Britain have less and less money to spend. Things are generally getting more expensive but wages remain static. So it’s no surprise that people are looking for ever more creative ways to reduce their expenditure. And while it’s possible to simply stop spending on some things, others – like gas and electricity bills – need to be minimised rather than eliminated. If you’re looking for advice on how to keep your bills low, read on for some handy tips.
In the summer, gas bills may be almost negligible. But in winter, they can be astronomical. To keep the cost of heating your house down, follow a few simple rules. First, is your heating on a timer or do you simply turn it on as and when you need it? Try re-setting your timer so it only comes on when you’re in the house, or just before you wake up, rather than during the day when you’re at work. A thermostat can also be an effective way of controlling your home’s temperature without having your heating on all day. Also, don’t underestimate the effect of wearing an extra jumper or throwing another blanket on your bed.
Keeping your electricity bills low is also relatively simple. Advice like turning the lights off as you leave the room and shutting your TV down at the mains switch might seem obvious, but they’re also effective. If you have a games console or DVD player, make sure you don’t leave it on overnight as this can eat up a lot of power. Plus, if you’re a regular tea or coffee drinker, try to only boil enough water for the number of cups you’re making – for example, if you’re making one cup of tea, don’t boil a full kettle. Getting a home energy monitor is an effective way to keep track of which appliances use the most electricity in your home.
Another way to reduce your household bills is to change your service providers entirely. This can be particularly effective with your phone and broadband connection, as fierce competition amongst service providers means there are always new deals to be had. Some providers may offer you the first 6 months free or cash back if you pay your bills on time. If you get TV channels as part of your package, consider how often you actually watch them – you may be better off with Freeview instead. And if you rarely use your landline, think about getting a broadband only deal to eliminate your telephone bills entirely.
Bruce Giles writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
