Energy Advice

Save energy, save money and help the environment too!

Most of our energy saving tips cost nothing and by making a few small changes could make a big difference to your bills.

Keeping the cold out

  • Closing curtains at night helps insulate your room and reduces heat loss.
  • Keep your outside doors shut, and add draught covers to the letterbox and key holes.

Heating

  • Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could cut your heating bills by up to 10% and save you around £100 per year.
  • Turn the thermostatic radiator valves down on radiators in rooms which you only use occasionally.
  • Move furniture away from radiators or heaters to let the heat into the room.

Appliances

  • Match the size of the ring to the size of the saucepan or you will be paying to heat the air. 
  • Use a lid on saucepans, so the contents heat and cook more quickly
  • Switch off your electrical appliances at the wall, not just with the ‘standby’ button, as this still uses almost as much power as when they are fully turned on.
  • Unplug mobile phones, shavers and electric toothbrushes when they are fully charged, otherwise they will keep using electricity.
  • Dry your clothes outside when possible
  • Replace normal light bulbs with energy saving bulbs – they can save you up to £78 of electricity per bulb, and last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.
  • Turn the light off when you leave the room, even if it’s only for a minute or two.

For more tips and advice on saving energy in the home visit http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or contact the Sustainability Team on 0330 175 9540.

Energy in the home

Save money on energy use in your home;

Register for The Priority Services Register (PSR) which is a free service provided by suppliers and network operators to customers in need. 

Keep warm in winter

There's a range of advice available if you struggle to keep warm in your home;

Heating system guides

These guides will give advice on how to use your energy equipment and prevent damp in your home;

Switching Suppliers

CAB

Switching your energy suppliers is one of the best ways to reduce your gas and electricity bills. If you are on a standard tariff with your supplier it is likely to be more expensive than a fixed term deal.

There are plenty of switching websites out there and accredited ones can be found at the Citizens Advice Bureau website.

Remember, before switching:

  • Check if your current supplier charges an early exit fee/cancellation charge
  • If you change your mind there is a 14 day cooling off period – just contact your new supplier to let them know
  • If you are happy with your current supplier, contact them to ask about cheaper tariffs
  • If you have a token or card meter an estimate of your energy usage will be asked for – you can even switch if you have a small debt on your meter

Thought about a smart meter?

Energy companies are rolling out smart meters over the next four years to replace traditional gas and electricity meters.

These new devices measure and display how much energy you use in in your home and automatically send readings to your suppliers.

It means the end to estimated bills and people coming into your home to take readings. With a smart meter you can also better see how much energy you are using.

Every household in the UK will be offered free installation of a smart meter and handset and your supplier will be in touch about when they will be coming to your area. It is your choice whether you want one fitted or not.

The new meters are widely seen as a good way of keeping track of your energy usage and according to the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change you could save an estimated £26 per year.

For more information visit www.smartenergygb.org

Water Meters and Smart Meters

All about water

Water bills are either fixed annually or metered according to your use. Find out more about the best option for you and how to get support in paying the bills;

  • WaterSure Scheme - Using water for medical reasons
  • WaterSupport - Low income and high water bills
  • Community Trust - What to do when in water arrears
  • Resolve Scheme - If you’re struggling to pay water bills and are receiving a state benefit.  To find out more and to apply call 0345 1 299299
  • Water Direct Scheme - Help when on income based benefits
  • Water Meters - Yorkshire Water

 

Use Yorkshire Water’s online water calculator to see if you can save money by changing to a water meter: www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/water-calculator.

Follow these tips to save water at home:

  • Save £5 per person on fuel and water bills by taking a shower rather than a bath
  • Save £6 and over 6 litres of water per minute by turning off the tap when you brush your teeth
  • Save £15 by turning down your washing machine to a 30 degree wash and only ever washing a full load

Find more water saving tips and order your free water saving pack online at www.yorkshirewater.com/savewater