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Energy bills are rising once again in April which to many people, would be a concern. However, due to it also getting warmer, there will be less need for turning on the central heating so these price hikes shouldn’t do too much damage to people’s energy bills. That being said, some people won’t be able to afford the increase which is why many people are looking at ways to save money. Let’s look at why energy prices are increasing and the different methods you can consider to help reduce your energy bills.
Why Are Energy Bills Increasing
Both electric and gas bills are going to increase and it seems like they are constantly increasing over time. In fact, this time, we can see energy bills to increase by roughly £1,849 per year for the average household which is roughly a £111 increase compared to the previous average cost. Although that may not seem like a lot, it will affect those households that are currently struggling with the recent price cap hike back in October through to December.
It hasn’t been at its highest since the end of 2022 and the start of 2023 however, it will be reaching its highest in the last 12 months. Nevertheless, there are still some considerations that you will need to make when it comes to using your electricity and gas.
How Much Are Bills Going To Increase?
The average cost per household can vary but Ofgem stated back in February that energy prices between the period of April to July will increase by 6.4%. As mentioned earlier, this is roughly a £111 increase in annual energy bills.
It isn’t the worst energy cap increase that we have experienced in recent years however, it is a 9.4% increase compared to this time last year. That being said, it is 22% lower than the previous energy cap back in 2023 during the energy crisis. Nevertheless, you still need to remain cautious with your energy bills, especially if it is something you struggle with each month.
How You Can You Save Money With The New Gas and Electric Increase
The energy bills are a cause of concern for some households however, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure you are saving money and help cushion that increase by making your home more energy efficient. So let’s take a look into some of those changes that you can make to help save money.
Saving energy in the kitchen
So let’s take a look at the kitchen first. How can you save money here? Well, a good start would be using the Air Fryer compared to the oven. This will not only reduce your energy bills but will also help reduce your cooking time significantly.
To reduce the amount of times you use your cooking hobs, air fryer and over, it will be a good idea to meal prep your meals. Yes, this will mean that you are having the same meal a couple of times a week however, it will help you save money on your energy bills.
Defrosting your fridge/freezer regularly will also help to reduce its energy output significantly over the next few months.
Washing and Drying Clothes
One thing that doesn’t necessarily change when the seasons switch from winter to summer is the amount of clothes you are washing. Nevertheless, there are still a few ways to help save money on your energy bills for April. One of those methods is reducing the temperature of your wash. A lot of people will wash their clothes at 40 degrees so consider reducing it to 30.
Another way to help reduce your electric bills is to use your washing machine at night. A lot of energy providers will increase their energy prices during peak hours so consider using your washing machine out of peak hours. This is usually between the hours of 10 pm and 8 am the following day.
When drying your clothes, consider opening the window and letting them dry that way as the days are getting warmer so you no longer need your dryer.
Energy Saving Tips
There are plenty of ways for you to save energy around the house/flat as well. For example, a lot of your electronics can be left on standby mode if the switch is still on so turn this off to reduce your energy consumption there.
Reducing your shower time to only four minutes can also help to save £70 per year. Spending lengthy time in the shower means that you are just adding to your water bill and using all of your hot water.
Other Methods of Reducing Your Bills
If the weather gets cold as we haven’t quite reached summer and warmer temperatures, make sure you don’t leave your heating on. Use draft excluders near your doors to reduce heat loss and the cold air from getting in. Also, upgrade your insulation if needed. This includes wall and roof insulation. Even insulation for a conservatory is good to help reduce heat loss when it is cold. Additionally, insulation can also reduce hot air from getting into your home.
Also, when you are using the kettle, only fill it with the amount of water you need. The more water you put in the kettle, the longer it takes to boil which means more energy is being used.
Summary
As you can see, there are many ways you can reduce your energy bills however, it is all about being smart rather than reducing your time using all of your appliances. At the end of the day, we still need to do our washing so be smarter when you use it.
