Energy bills are one of those expenditures that just seem to escalate every year, with energy companies inflicting huge price hikes and cold winters seeming to last an eternity. Throughout the summer, you will hopefully have been saving plenty of money on your heating bills but unfortunately, it will not be long before winter arrives again, so make sure that you are prepared this time and ensure that you are not wasting money that could be saved.

Here are some top energy savings tips that you could use both now and when it gets to the colder nights ahead.

Replace old windows




Windows are one of the places that you lose a lot of heat from your home, especially if there are draughts coming through. Getting new double glazed windows might be costly but they could result in considerable energy bill savings over the years. So get some quotes for window installation service if your current windows are not doing a great job at keeping your heat in.

Get a smart meter

If you have not already had one installed, getting a smart meter is a good idea because it will help you to monitor your energy consumption better. Understanding how much energy you use each day in monetary terms will help you to make better decisions about when you put the heating on and other energy use. You can also use your phone to control your heating if you have a smart thermostat, meaning that if you forget to turn it off you can do so even when you have left the house.

Shop around

Staying with the same energy provider for years will usually cost you more than if you do some research once a year to find out the best deals. Just like there are comparison sites for insurance policies and holidays, there are also comparison sites for energy suppliers. So take a look at the different rates that are currently available and make the switch if you can find a better deal.

Turn your thermostat down

Even a very small reduction in your thermostat temperature can have a really big impact on your bill. So make sure that you are wearing warm clothing in the home rather than cranking up the heating more on the cold days. You can also be more sensible with keeping doors shut in the rooms that you are using in order to keep the heat inside. Buying thermal curtains can also be very effective in preventing the loss of heat.

Buy energy efficient appliances




When it comes to buying a new washing machine or fridge, buying one with a high energy efficiency rating will also save you plenty of energy over time. Even if you have to pay a bit more for the appliance, you will soon make that money back in savings. Additionally, these energy-efficient models can come with extended warranties to ensure that your investment is protected. It can be important to check the washer warranty and other terms to make sure you are getting the best deal. This can ensure you are making a smart long term investment that can benefit both your wallet and the planet.
Be smart with your water

If you are on a water meter then it will definitely pay to be more careful about your water. Simple changes like not leaving the tap running whilst you clean your teeth or having a shorter length shower will see your water bills go down. It can be tempting to get the hosepipe out in the hot summer weather but it could end up costing you a small fortune filling paddling pools or watering the plants. You can try and collect rainwater to help with watering your plants instead of running the hosepipe, using a collection system or even just use some buckets in your garden to catch the rain ready to use in a dry spell.

*Collaborative post

We all want to save money on our energy bills, don't we? Well, welcome to Flipper. Flipper's mission is to ensure no one ever overpays their energy again. 

Flipper is a switching service that finds you the best energy deal and then switches it for you. They check the market every month and switch you to the best deal, thus saving you valuable money and time.  If you don't want to switch they will give you the option to opt out before they check for you.




How do they know the best deal you may wonder? They check your bills to ensure they know exactly what you pay and then access a range of deals available to them.The best deals that don't charge commission.  

How much does this cost? The service costs £25 a year but they won't flip (switch) you until you save at least £50 a year and they won't charge you until you save that too. If you are not happy with the switch you have a 14 day period where you can cancel the deal free of charge. 

They have a number of approved suppliers that they work with, 6 big and over 32 small and medium suppliers including SSE, Scottish Power and NPower. 

And they don't monetise the consumer by selling your data or showing you constant adds too.

Of course, you are always in control. Flipper work for you and you can exclude suppliers you don't like from their search. You always have 14 days to cancel your switch too and they will flip you again free of charge. Whether you want to pay your energy bills on receipt or pay by direct debit, it's all a simple, easy and convenient process.

Ok, I like my luxuries but I am not one to waste money on essentials. I'd rather take that money and spend it on a holiday or a nice meal out. That's why when I was asked if I wanted to work with Contact Numbers UK to promote their #ChallengeMyBills campaign I said yes. 

The Challenge My Bills campaign looks at ways to save money on your utility bills. We all want to save money don't we, but sometimes it seems like a hassle to do it. Here are my top tips on easy ways to save money on your gas and electricity bills.

1. Wrap up



An old tip but a good tip is to wrap up when it's cold. Instead of putting the heating on, use your thermals,  add an extra layer, put a cardigan on, pop your socks on and slippers. Why not get a blanket out if its exceptionally cold? You will be surprised at the difference this will make to your cosiness and your heating bills too.

2. Turn off

This means turning off the lights when you are out of a room, and turning off and unplugging electricals when not in use. When your phone is charged unplug it, you don't have to fully charge it at every moment. The Energy Saving Trust estimates you can save at least £30 a year but turning off appliances on standby.

3. Conserve water



A shower uses a third of the water of a bath, and this, in turn, can save you £18 a year on heating the water. Another way to conserve water is to make sure any dripping tap is fixed as soon as possible. If it's dripping hot water think of it as pennies going down the drain, and those pennies can turn into pounds. If you are on a water meter this can cost you more too.

4. Draft proof

A simple but effective way to draft proof your home is to use old fashioned draft excluders on doors to stop the drafts and draft proof strips around your windows. In your loft, having effective and thick insulation can really help to stop heat escaping and save you money too. A quarter of your heat is lost through the roof in an un-insulated home. You may even be eligible for a grant for insulation so be sure to Google it!

5. Lower the temperature

Wash at a lower temperature, lower the thermostat on your home heating and rather than use a tumble dryer to dry do it the old fashioned way by using your line or a clothes airer. All this will save energy and in turn save you money.

6. Light the way

Energy saving lightbulbs although more expensive initially can save you money in the long term, as they last much longer and are more efficient. According to Which, replacing just one 60w bulb with a CFL bulb can save you £7 a year. If you think about how many light bulbs you have in your home you can see how savings can be had.

7. Use your cooker effectively




Match the pan to the correct size hob, use all the layers in your steamer so your dinner will all cook at once, and batch cook your food so you use up all the oven shelves. I'm a big fan of my slow cooker which uses the energy of a lightbulb and makes tough cheap cuts of meat tender and delicious.

8. Question your tariff

Ring up your service provider and ask if you are on the best tariff. The Contact Numbers UK website has phone numbers for all the main service providers including British Gas, Southern Electric, NPower and more. They can tell you if you are on the right tariff for your usage, give advice on saving energy and help you set up a monthly direct debit which is the cheapest way to pay. If you have gas and electricity with the same provider that can save you money too so ask if they have any special deals.

Check out more energy saving ideas for your home on my blog post here. Here are some more energy saving tips below.





 Do you have any tips on how to save money on your gas and electricity bills?

We all know energy companies make a fortune so here are some stylish ways to improve your insulation so the energy you use to heat your home isn't wasted. 



Draught Excluders

This traditional way of stopping heat lost through your doors is a simple but effective practice of using draught excluders. It is also one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to save energy. Stopping cold air in and warm air out of a room can save you up to £50 a year. Stores like Next, John Lewis and Not On The High Street have stylish draught excluders that look good as well as saving you money.