7 actionable ways to save money on gas and electricity bills.

Our first tip, and probably the easiest one to start doing, is simply turning off or unplugging any light, switch, plug, or appliance you’re not using. If you’re asking, “should I turn off at the plug or turn to standby?” the answer is always to switch off at the mains.

Standby simply won’t cut it. “Vampire” devices – like TVs, game consoles, radios, DVD players, and other electrical devices – still suck power from your electricity socket to continue running at a low level, waiting and ready to fire back up at the click of your remote. While the total cost of leaving these electricals on standby will vary from device to device, it’s always best to just switch them off. The savings might not knock tons off your monthly bills, but any saving is better than no saving!

While we all love a bit of winter sun, making your home as hot as the Mediterranean won't do your monthly bill any favours. So, what can you do to save? 

Many households tend to set their heating above 22°C in the colder months, but the Energy Saving Trust recommend turning the thermostat down to the lowest comfortable temperature to avoid overheating your house and wasting energy by opening the window when things get too hot. They also say that turning your thermostat down one degree from 20°C to 19°C could cut your bill by 10% – and according to British Gas that could be as much as £145 per year for the average 3-bed household!

Turning down by one degree is a super simple habit to implement that could save you a big chunk of cash.

You might not think of it as one of your biggest energy zappers, but your washing machine really does take a big bite into your bills. According to Heatable, the average washing machine works out at about £1.09 per hour or 17p for 10 minutes. If you're one of those people who regularly put on a daily wash, it can soon start to add up. But there are a few things you can do to cut the cost.

Here are a few tips to help you save energy when using your washing machine:

• Wash your clothes less often. It goes without saying you need to wash your socks and undies after one wear, but you can definitely get a few wears out of jeans, trousers, and jackets before they go in the laundry basket.
• Wash cold or at a lower temp. Washing your clothes at a high temp takes a lot of energy, and more often than not, you can get the same result at a lower temperature, saving you money in the long run. 
• Wash full loads. Don't be wasteful. Washing with a fuller load means you don't have to put as many washes on – saving you energy and money. It's simple, really. 

Here’s a bright idea for saving on your energy bills: swap all your current bulbs for LED alternatives. Why? Because LEDs consume 80% less energy when compared to incandescent light bulbs, and less energy equals lower bills!

If you’re asking, “is it cost-effective to switch to LEDs?”, in the long run, it will be. LED bulbs tend to last up to 50,000 hours, whereas halogen and incandescent bulbs usually last for around 1000-2000. So, on top of the lower energy consumption saving, you’ll be saving your cash by changing the bulbs much less often too. Not bad, eh?

Getting the most out of your appliances or as we mentioned in 10 tips for eating healthy on a budget, using energy-efficient cooking methods can help you save on your monthly bills. Slow cookers, microwaves, and air-fryers all use a lot less energy than the traditional oven or hob, helping to save your money in the long run. 

Prefer veg to have the traditional roasted tastes from oven cooking? Partially cooking them in the microwave before switching to the oven still gives you the desired flavour and lowers your energy use too. 

Another tastecard top tip: keep the lid on the pan when you’re cooking. It helps to trap the heat, cooking your grub quicker and without the need to have the hob turned up to the max. 

You'd be surprised how many people block their radiators with their sofas or other bits of furniture. And if something is blocking your radiator, it won't work efficiently, and you'll waste more time, energy, and money heating your home.

Another tastecard top tip: invest in radiator reflectors for those rooms that are hard to heat. What do radiator reflectors do? They reduce heat loss by reflecting the radiator's heat away from the wall and back into the room, which helps to heat a room more efficiently.

You can lose so much heat from poorly insulated windows and doors, but there are a few quick and easy things you can do to help you keep the heat in, be more energy efficient, and save on your bills. 

Invest in a few draught excluders! They stop the warm air from escaping your room and prevent any cool air from sneaking in from outside. If you don't fancy splashing the cash on new ones, the SSE has shared a handy guide on how to make your own draught excluders – they're super easy to make and very eco-friendly.