'Chilling' energy bills on the way after coldest December on record
With the effects of the "Deep Freeze" continuing to send chills through households in the UK, moneysupermarket.com warns British bill payers to get on to the best possible energy tariff.
Analysis from moneysupermarket.com site found homeowners use around 40 per cent of their annual energy consumption during the winter months. Customers on standard tariffs, paying an average £1,093 a year (quarterly by cash or cheque - QCC), could therefore face a whopping bill of £437 next month - crippling for any unsuspecting household in the wake of an expensive festive season.
To recoup some of the money paid out on this hefty bill consumers can swap to the best available online deal, and pay by monthly direct debit. Annual energy consumption would then come in at £921 on average a year, a saving of £172, or 16 per cent off your annual bill. Monthly direct debit payments also allow consumers to spread the cost of their bills evenly and avoid facing expensive winter bills at the most costly time of the year.
Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "Brits will be brought back down to earth with a bump this New Year when a huge energy bill lands on their doorstep, especially after experiencing the coldest December since records began. With many bill payers having cranked up their heating during the "Deep Freeze", and having experienced an increase of 5.3 per cent to the price of gas since November, and 7.5 per cent to the price of electricity, many will really struggle to afford this expensive finish to a costly festive period.
"I advise any customers languishing on their provider's standard deal, whether worried about post-New Year bills or not, to swap to a monthly direct debit scheme and manage their account online. Standard QCC customers could save an average £172 a year, something cash strapped Brits should seriously think about. For those looking for cheaper energy bills, shopping around is crucial, make sure you are on the best tariff for your region and consumption level to stop your hard earned cash going to waste. Making your home as energy efficient as possible will also go a long way to cutting the cost of your bills in 2011."
moneysupermarket.com's top tips to minimise your gas and electricity bills:
Turn your thermostat down - now. By reducing your room temperature by just 1°C you could save an astonishing 10% on your annual heating bills.
Switch off and save. Don't leave electrical appliances on standby as it still uses power. Make it a nightly ritual to ensure all lights and appliances are off and watch those savings mount. For example, leaving your computer on 'sleep' means it is still using 75% of its energy.
Almost 25% of heat is lost via poorly insulated roofs. Invest in insulation - it is cheap and effective. What is more, many free grants are available from local councils for pensioners and those on low incomes.
Heating the whole house is justifiable for a large family but for working couples and singles, it is more cost-effective to heat only the rooms you use most. Invest in a low energy heater.
In the winter months, it pays to close all your curtains as soon as dusk sets - they keep the heat in and are one of the simplest and easiest ways of cutting back on heating bills.
Change to energy saving light bulbs. You can save up to £40 over the lifetime of the bulb.
Invest in a microwave oven. They are fast and efficient particularly for small families and singles and use a fraction of the energy of a conventional gas or electric cooker.
Watch out for draughts around doors (keyholes, letter boxes, gaps in doors and windows). Heat escaping your home is money wasted, so get yourself kitted out. Draught excluder packs are available from most DIY stores and for as little as £60. It is estimated that good draught exclusion around an average terrace can save as much as £25 a year, so it will soon pay for itself.
Double-glazing is pricey to install but will make a difference to bills over time. Heat loss through windows is cut by a whopping 50% - saving around £100 a year on bills.
Don't fill your kettle each time you go to make a coffee or cup of tea - only use the water you need. It will be quicker to boil and use less energy. It's a simple tip but makes a difference.
Take showers and not baths. While a hot bubble bath may feel like a treat, the cost of heating the water soon mounts up. A shower uses around a third of the water of a bath.
If you use a washing machine turn the temperature down to 30°C. Today's washing powders are so efficient they do not need to be used at high temperatures. Even better, get into the habit of hand-washing and just using your machine's spin function. It saves both time and money.