< Back to blog

Save money on your household bills Posted On 28 January 2019

There is a vast array of household bills involved with the property you’re living in and, with the right knowledge, you can cut back on the costs more than you thought

For many, living a ‘greener’ lifestyle goes hand-in-hand with living a more cost-effective one too. ‘Green living’ is essentially the bringing into balance the conservation and preservation of the Earth’s natural resources, habitats, and biodiversity, with human culture and ways of living. According to Merriam-Webster, the literal definition of the term ‘eco-friendly’ is ‘not environmentally harmful.’

And as more and more environmentally-friendly, or ‘green’, technologies are developing, so too is the interest and investments in Eco-friendly and sustainable housing and living.

As these technologies are growing, the meaning of the term is becoming broader. You’ll find that many of the items discussed below are both a ‘greener’ way of living, whilst cutting back on your bills at the same time.

Perhaps one of the more obvious points in making sure to keep your household bills down to a minimum is ensuring that all appliances and electronic devices in the home are switched off when they’re not in use. Although this might sound obvious, we all know how easy it is to leave the computer on once we’ve been distracted into doing something else. Since desktops tend to run directly off the main power supply, it’s probably best to at least put it to sleep or hibernation whilst it’s not in use. Televisions, kitchen appliances – even lights – all contribute to the energy usage in your home and, when combined, the usage can be considerable.

Boilers account for approximately 60 per cent of your yearly energy bills, so finding the right boiler to make sure you’re not spending more than is necessary on your energy bills is vital.

By replacing old model boilers with an A-rated one, you could save around £350 and 1.500kg of carbon monoxide a year, therefore preventing you from reaching boiling point upon paying the bills. Introducing a more modern appliance into your home could not only help you save on your monthly outgoings, but also provide more security and a guarantee of care with a warranty.

Light bulbs get used almost, if not every day in your home, and often for long periods of time, so making sure your light bulbs are energy efficient could save you a significant amount of money at the end of the year.

Energy-saving light bulbs, such as LED bulbs, can cost approximately a mere £1.71 to run per year. Therefore, over its lifetime, it could save you around £180 from your energy bills, compared with an older, traditional-style bulb. So, see the light, and switch!

In order to retain more heat in your home, and thus avoid using your central heating system as much as you need to, energy efficient windows could be the way forward. Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for approximately 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use, so better windows could easily help the bill at the end of the month and not be a ‘pane’ to deal with.

Switching energy supplier or energy tariff can make a significant difference in terms of what you spend each year on household bills, and it’s said that you could save up to £300 a year if you switch to the right supplier/tariff. It pays to shop around, so use price comparison websites and even phone different energy suppliers to get quotes and a more energised perspective on what’s going to be best for you. Don’t just look at cheaper prices either – also keep your eyes peeled for good customer satisfaction scores.

Although perhaps not technically coming into the ‘household bills’ bracket, insurance costs play a big part in your outgoings each year. Ensuring you get renewal quotes for all types of insurance – such as home, car and even pet insurance – can be an effective way forward. There are some great comparison websites out there, such as Moneysupermarket.com, which can help you determine the right cover for you.

Additionally, there are several companies which offer money back when you buy via their site, such as Top Cashback. This could be another great way to save money on your monthly outgoings and bills.

< Back to blog