The ceiling is the maximum amount that a utility can charge an average customer in the UK per year for the electricity and gas it uses. Introduced in 2019 and controlled by Ofgem every six months, it is designed to prevent companies from passing on wholesale price increases to the consumer. Read more: The cost of living crisis has 56 per cent of Britons feeling the pressure Unfortunately, due to many factors, but mainly due to the increase in gas prices, the price ceiling had to be increased on April 1 from 27 1,277 to 97 1,971 per year for those who pay their bills by standing order, an increase of £ 693 or 54 54 percent. Households with prepayment counters will see an average increase of 8 708. The price ceiling had already been raised by 12 percent in October 2021 and is expected to rise further this fall. With inflation forecast to reach eight percent in the spring of 2022, with gasoline prices at unprecedented highs and an overall cost of living being squeezed, it is more important than ever to know your options to minimize your energy costs. About 22 million customers will be affected by the price increase. With that in mind, below is a comprehensive overview of the different ways to save energy.
Short-term corrections to save energy costs
First, let’s cover the easiest wins to have as direct an impact on your utility bills as possible. The simplest way to reduce your accounts is to reduce your usage. Turning off appliances around your home from standby will save you an average of £ 55 per year, based on the April 2022 price cap figures. in a stroke. Limiting your shower time to four minutes and changing one bath a week with a four-minute shower can save £ 35 per person per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. The combination of using your dishwasher only when it is full, using your washing machine in a 30 degree cycle and reducing your use by one run per week can save £ 28 per year. Read more related articles Read more related articles Other ways to reduce your bills by reducing energy use suggested by the Energy Saving Trust include:
Turn off your lights when you are not using them or when you leave a room – saving £ 20 per year Avoid using a dryer and instead use racks for dry clothes where possible or use wash lines when the weather is warmer – saving £ 60 per year Avoid overfilling the kettle – it takes more energy to boil a full kettle. This could help you save £ 11 per year Install fans on taps – they are cheap and relatively easy to install and could save about £ 25 per year
All of these savings are relatively small, but combined, they could wipe out hundreds of pounds from your accounts.
Check your suitability for assistance
It is also wise to check if you are entitled to income support or relief for your energy bills. The Warm Home Discount program requires suppliers with more than 150,000 customers to provide a £ 140 discount between October and March for eligible customers. There are two main ways to qualify for this – either if you are receiving the Pension Credit Guarantee Credit item or if you have a low income and meet your energy provider criteria for the program – known as the “wider group”. The government has indicated that the Green House Discount will increase by £ 10 and 780,000 more households will be eligible for it in the future, although we do not yet know how the eligibility criteria will change. If you were born on or before September 26, 1955, you are entitled, regardless of income level, to a Winter Fuel Payment, a lump sum payment of between £ 100 and £ 300, paid by the end of December each year. Paying for cold weather is another program that offers support to low-income seniors. This is only paid if the average temperature is – or is projected to be – 0 ° C or lower for seven consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March and is a payment of £ 25 per week. Read more related articles Read more related articles The government has also announced some interim measures to mitigate rising energy prices for households. In October, all households will receive an automatic 200 200 discount on your bills, regardless of their invoice. However, there is a sting to this help – from April 2023 you will have a 40. Annual contribution added to the accounts to effectively pay the discount. This spring, households in AD zones can receive a ρου 150 city tax deduction and if they have direct tax payments for their city tax, they do not need to apply, it will be done automatically. There is also a 14 144m grant to the city council to support low-income households not in the AD tax zone. In addition to government support, most major energy suppliers also offer funds for inconvenience if you are in debt. You should usually be a customer of the company, with the notable exception of the British Gas Energy Trust, which offers support not only to British Gas customers. Keep in mind, however, that the application process is rigorous – you should talk to a debt counselor first and eligibility requirements vary between difficulty funds.
Switch supplier
Of course, the choice remains to shop for your energy supplier. This route may not be as fruitful these days as gas price increases generally affect, but it may be worth considering. Money Saving Expert’s Cheap Energy Club offers a way to sort out the different prices offered more easily, all for free. The change of supplier should not take more than 21 days and you can only change your electricity or gas or both. Energy contracts have more and more fines or exit fees associated with their early exit, so think about whether they eliminate the savings you would make with the change. If your energy company collapses, Citizens Advice tells consumers to stop activating until your account is transferred to the new vendor. It may be more difficult for you to get the money you owe if you change before this happens.
Long-term options for future winters
Finally, there are potential investments to save energy costs in the long run. Professional sealing of windows, doors, floors and skirting boards would save £ 95 per year, although it would cost an initial 240 240, according to the Energy Saving Trust. If your home does not have cavity wall insulation, investing in it would save. 285 per year, but it costs an average of 200 1,200 per installation. Attic insulation would save you 4 465, but save £ 25 a year on energy bills. Energy Company Liabilities (ECO) grants provide support to finance such energy efficiency improvements for low-income households and people in vulnerable situations. Read more related articles Read more related articles These will obviously not directly invade your accounts however and will take time to make more savings than your initial investments. Hopefully the above options give a good idea of where it may be possible to reduce energy bills in the future. Read more related articles Read more related articles
