The cap set by the Energy Price Guarantee is increasing in April, with average energy bills for a typical household from £2,500 a year to £3,000 a year, an increase of £500. The policy will be in place for two years from April, protecting consumers from the market price of energy, which is itself capped by Ofgem.
Nigel Best, director of electrical training provider Electrician Courses 4U, spoke about the upcoming energy bills hike and provided some tips for how Britons can slash their energy bills.
He said: “Although this is a significant rise in energy costs, switching to a fixed-rate energy deal is still not worth it for most people.
“A fixed-rate tariff locks in a rate for a set period of time, however they are generally more expensive and in most cases you end up paying more than the default tariff.
“The market’s cheapest fixed-tariff right now is on average 56 percent more than the current price cap and at this rate switching to a fixed tariff is unlikely to be worth it.
READ MORE: Martin Lewis’ ‘spot on’ alert sees woman boost state pension by £11,500
Mr Best encouraged Britons to make sure the blanket they purchase has the UK safety standard mark, or kitemark.
Be smart about the use of electrical appliances
Many modern appliances have eco-settings which can help reduce a household’s energy bills.
An eco-setting on a washing machine or dishwasher will use lower wash and rinse temperatures to minimise the energy used for a wash.
Mr Best said: “One better than this is limiting your use of appliances completely. For example, do you really need to use the tumble dryer? Although it’s quicker and easier to dry your clothes, if you can make do with hanging your washing on a line instead you will reduce your energy usage.
“Similarly, consider washing the dishes instead of using a dishwasher. Just remember to fill up a bowl of water first to ensure you don’t need to leave the tap running which would waste unnecessary water.”
Make a habit of switching off appliances
It’s important to switch off devices at the plug as they will needlessly use energy if left on standby.
Mr Best urged people to make sure they turn the lights off when they leave a room as this can soon add to a household’s energy bills.
Draught-proofing one’s home
The energy expert said this measure can save a household a “small fortune” in reduced energy bills.
He explained: “It’s one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy and money in any type of building.
“Subtle tweaks such as keeping your curtains closed in the evenings can help to keep the warmth in while more substantial alterations such as eliminating draughts from windows, doors and fireplaces also reduces heat loss.
“Depending on your experience level it may be worth hiring a professional to block up unwanted gaps especially if they’re in tricky places such as loft hatches or chimneys.”
[ad_2]
Share this news on your Fb,Twitter and Whatsapp
Times News Express:Latest News Headlines
Times News Express||Health||New York||USA News||Technology||World News
