Household bills are looking to increase exponentially over the next few months and years, so let’s discuss what you can do to save money on your household bills.
Energy UK warned that in spring 2022, gas and electricity bills would go up by up to 50%, and on the 1st April 2022, Ofgem released a 54% increase in energy price cap.
With the average price of gas and electricity being ?111.60 per month in 2021, this could see that bill increasing to almost ?170 per month (?167.4). In this article, we will be exploring ways to save money around the house.
Simple tips to reduce your monthly household bills
Let’s take a look at some simple tips to reduce your monthly household bills:
- When you leave a room, make sure to switch off the light if no one is in there anymore. Leaving the lights on in your house unnecessarily can account for a big chunk of your household bills each month. You can also look to install energy efficient light bulbs which use around 70-80% less energy than your everyday bulbs and have also been found to last almost 10 times as long.
- Make sure to use water sparingly. Leaving the tap on while you brush your teeth for example, can run up extra costs when it comes to your water bill. Turning the tap off while you brush your teeth can save up to 200 gallons of water per month, which is roughly the same as filling up the average bathtub 6.5 times per month.
- When it comes to washing up, use a dishwasher, if possible, over the typical hand washing method. While most people assume they will save money by not using a dishwasher, using your hands and the tap to wash up can take up 27 gallons of water compared to 3 gallons with an energy star-rated dishwasher.
- Look at installing a smart thermostat in your home, which can be used to only warm the rooms you are using, making your heating more efficient. Smart thermostats also learn about your home, such as how long it takes to heat, which allows it to set your home to the right temperature at the right time. With smart thermostats installed, you could potentially save around ?75 per year on energy.
What if I can’t pay my household bills
If you are unable to pay your household bills, don’t panic straight away. Make sure you get in touch with your supplier.
According to Ofgem, the rules state that suppliers need to offer payment plans you can afford. This may include a review of your payments and debt repayments, giving you more time to pay, and payment breaks and reductions. You may also be eligible to claim for government incentives, such as a warm home discount, which allows for a ?140 discount for some people in either low-income households or those getting pension credit.
If there is still a concern over how to pay your household bills after this, there are short term loans that can be taken out and repaid back over a certain time period, but make sure you have explored all other options before taking these out, as there can be terms and conditions associated with them along with high interest payments.
