Energy Saving Week

Commenting on Energy Saving Week (20 - 26 October), Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com, said: "We welcome another reminder to keep energy efficiency at the forefront of people's minds.

The benefits of ‘saving energy' in the home are two-fold; reducing bill-payers outgoings as well as the added benefits to the environment by keeping energy usage to a minimum. Small changes made to your home such as adding loft insulation or upgrading your boiler using the same fuel could save you around £235 a year, and reduces carbon dioxide by two tonnes.

"Any customers struggling to pay their energy bills need to be proactive and contact their energy supplier to see what options are available to keep their energy bills low. Likewise, energy suppliers need to ensure adequate support is readily available and help is delivered efficiently."

moneysupermarket.com recommends the following energy saving tips:

Invest in a lagging jacket for your hot water tank and insulate pipes - this will pay for itself in a few months with the money saved.

Turning your thermostat down by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent. And if you're going away for winter, leave the thermostat on a low setting to provide protection from freezing at minimum cost.

Wash clothes at 30oC instead of 40 oC.

Replace light bulbs with energy saving versions.

Is your hot water too hot? For most, setting the thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing.

Don't leave the fridge door open longer than necessary and defrost freezers regularly to improve efficiency.

When cooking leave saucepan lids on as this will allow you to turn down the heat.

Don't use more water than you need when boiling a kettle as it takes much more electricity to boil a full kettle each time than just enough water for a cuppa or two.

For those willing to spend money to save money, loft insulation is a great investment. Up to 25 per cent of heat loss occurs through lofts that are not insulated.

Cavity wall insulation can also prove to be a big money saver. Insulation can save up to 35 per cent of heat loss through walls.