Besides your mortgage or your rent, one of the most expensive bills that comes out of your bank account every month is your utility bills. If you’re sick of spending so much every month, here are a few ways you can try and spend less money on your gas, water and electric.
Replace equipment that isn’t working effectively
One of the worst offenders when it comes to using a high amount of energy is equipment that is either old or wasn’t fit for purpose when it was first installed. If you have an older heating unit, you might be reluctant to spend money on replacing it if it still does the job.
However, the reality is that if you replaced that unit for a more modern and efficient model, you could save a lot of money on your energy bills each month, and your investment could soon end up paying for itself. You could also find that your room feels warmer and that it also takes less time for a room to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat, meaning you’ll also have a more comfortable home whilst saving money at the same time.
There are even big differences in the cost of running between certain types of heating systems. For example, when comparing a PTAC heat pump vs electric heat, you will often find that whilst electric heaters are sometimes cheaper to buy initially, PTAC heat pumps are often cheaper to run. If you’re unsure about which device will be best for your home, speak to a retailer who is experienced in this field who will be able to offer you tailored advice for your home.
Reduce how much you use
The most obvious way to save money on your utility bills is to simply use less of the gas, water and electric that you pay for. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend less time watching TV. Instead, simply turn your TV and any set top boxes, DVD players or games consoles off at the wall once you’ve finished using them. If you simply turn them off by the remote and leave them on standby, they will still be using electricity even if they’re not showing anything on the screen. You can also save money on the amount of water you use by installing devices to reduce the flow of water into your home. Install weights into your toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water you use when flushing the toilet and install special filters to your taps and shower heads to reduce the amount of water whilst still maintaining the same water pressure.
Compare with other companies
If you follow all of these steps and still find you’re paying more for your gas and electric than your friends and family, it could be that your current provider isn’t giving you the best rate. Find a recent bill which has how much energy you use on an average month and enter this information into a price comparison website to see if you could save money by switching providers. Whilst this sounds like a complicated process, no engineers need to visit your home, no equipment needs to be replaced and it can often all be done by one visit to a website.