Citizens Advice Manchester

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Making you a Super Saver this Big Energy Saving Winter

Save on your energy bills this winter

With so many of us spending more time at home during lockdown, it’s natural to be concerned about using more fuel. However, you could save hundreds of pounds on your energy bills by making your home more energy efficient. As part of Big Energy Saving Winter, we at Citizens Advice Manchester are sharing our top tips for saving energy at home.

Get to know your thermostat

You could save around £60 a year by turning your main thermostat down by 1 degree. Make sure your home is still warm enough during cold weather! By installing and using a room thermostat, programmer, and thermostatic radiator valves, you could save around £75 a year. Draught-proof windows and doors, block cracks in skirting boards, and fill in floorboard gaps to save around £25 a year. 

Watch out for water

The energy used heating water in our home is something many of us forget about. In the kitchen, save energy and money by using a bowl to wash up dishes and only filling the kettle with the water you need. Reduce your washing machine use by one cycle a week for more savings.

In the bathroom, you can install a water-efficient shower head to save a family of 4 around £38 a year on gas bills and around £53 a year on water bills. If everyone spen1 minute less in the shower each day, a family of 4 could save around £75 a year on energy and water bills. 

Save with a smart meter

A smart meter shows energy usage in near-real time, so you can see how much you’re spending on energy bills. This means you can make small adjustments within your home to save energy and money. You may also be able to get a prepay smart meter for further control over your bills. You can ask your energy provider about installing a smart meter.

Lights off

A small but effective way to reduce your energy consumption is to switch lights off when you leave a room. You could save around £15 a year on your bills. Replacing your lightbulbs as and when you can with energy efficient LED bulbs could save around £40 a year on your bills. Sometimes even small changes can add up to bigger savings. 

Green Home grants

If your home isn’t energy efficient, you may be able to apply for a Green Home grant from the government. This scheme can pay for improvements to make your home more energy efficient, which could reduce your energy bills. You could be awarded a grant of between £5K to £10K for work such as installing double glazed windows or better insulation. You can find out more and apply for the grant here. You can also tune in to our next expert advice Livestream where we’ll be talking about Green Homes Grants and other support with our Energy Champion and Eco-Surv. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @ManchesterCAB to join us on 28th January at 5.15pm.

If you would like tailored advice for saving on your energy bills, contact one of our Energy Advisers on 0808 278 7800, chat with our Energy AdviceBot or make a self-referral.

If you’re aged 16-25, why not join our next Young People’s energy advice workshop to find out how you can save on your bills? It’s free to attend - just sign up to join us on 28th Jan at 6pm.

If you’re already a Super Saver, why not pledge to share your saving knowledge and be entered into our competition for a chance to win a new washing machine or a slow cooker!