Our top 10 tips for cutting your fuel bills.
1. Check that you are using the cheapest supplier.
It is easy to do this at Tiscali by using our cut your bills calculator, which is supplied by uswitch, and offers free, independent, impartial advice. The site calculates how much you can save - based on your current bills. So, in the comfort of your own home or at your desk you can find out how much better off you would be if you changed suppliers.
2. Switch off unnecessary lights.
A simple, straightforward tip - but difficult for families with teenagers! In a typical home, lighting accounts for 20% of the electricity bill so if you can cut back here you will save money.
3. Change to energy saving bulbs.
Light bulb manufacturer Osram, says: "With the latest technology energy saving light bulbs, you get virtually the same light output as from an ordinary light bulb, for just 20% of the electricity consumption. What's more, they last up to 15 times longer." Osram has calculated that an ordinary (incandescent) 100W light bulb replaced with an energy saving 20W leads to a direct saving for the household of ¯¿½80 over the lifetime of the new light bulb, even allowing for the higher cost of the energy saving light bulb.
4. Improve your insulation.
As much as 20% of your energy bill can be saved by good loft insulation. Lofts should be insulated to a minimum depth of 150mm (6 inches) - preferably 200mm (8 inches) - and this can be done by either a contractor or DIY. Mineral wool, fibreglass and recycled paper products all work well. Remember to wear a facemask, goggles and protective clothing if you do it yourself, and leave sufficient gaps around the eaves to avoid condensation. Do not insulate under water tanks that may freeze and ensure all pipework and the loft hatch are insulated. This will cost around ¯¿½150-¯¿½300 but will save around ¯¿½60-¯¿½70 a year.
5. Draughtproof windows and doors.
Draughts are the most uncomfortable and obvious signs of a badly insulated house and can be fixed easily with minimal DIY skills. This will cost around ¯¿½45-¯¿½60 saving roughly ¯¿½10-¯¿½20 a year.
6. Insulate your immersion.
Fit a good insulating jacket to your hot water tank if it does not have sprayed foam on the outside. The cost of around ¯¿½10 will soon be met via savings of around ¯¿½10-¯¿½15.
7. Put aluminium foil behind any radiators fitted to outside walls.
Ordinary kitchen foil will do, or you can buy specially designed panels from DIY stores
Cost: up to ¯¿½10 Saving: Around ¯¿½5-¯¿½10.
8. Turn your central heating thermostat down.
Just turning it down by 1 degree will save you around ¯¿½10 a year.
9. Close your curtains at dusk.
This helps cut down heat loss.
10. Forget standby.
Only use the heat and light appliances you really need - don't leave TVs or videos on standby. Also switch off this PC screen when it's not being used!
Find out whether you would be eligible for a grant to make your home more energy efficient.
If you want to know more about ways of saving energy you could contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre by email or by ringing them on 0800-512012.
