Frugal Fergal

Energy prices in the UK are relatively closely tied to the price of oil. I say relatively as the energy companies are keen to raise prices when the price of oil goes up, but not lower them again when the price of oil goes down again.

Now this isn't surprising given the under-investment in the energy infrastructure in the UK since gas and electricity were privatized and the stringent greenhouse gas and energy targets the government have committed to. This takes money, and the energy companies know that, so sadly you have to foot part of the bill.

All is not lost as you can easily reduce your energy costs with these simple tips that won't cost you a single penny...

Compare and Switch

Use comparison sites like uSwitch and The Motley Fool to find a cheaper deal. Remember: direct debit and e-bills will reduce your bill, so go for these options where possible.

Turn it Off

Take a quick walk around the house and see what electrical appliances you have turned on that don't really need to be. You're looking for things like TVs, radios, CD players and computers that all consume energy, even when in standby mode. Also take the time to turn off all the lights that you don't need on.

If your house is empty during the day and your boiler has a timer, adjust it so the heating turns off about 30 mins before you leave in the morning and then comes on again about 30 mins before you come home from work. After all, there's no point heating an empty house.

Now for something that may not go down too well in your household: do the same thing at night. If your timer has the functionality for multiple on/off times, set the heating to turn off about 30 mins before bed time and on again 30 mins before you wake up. A cooler house will actually encourage better sleep and you're onto a winner if you can save some money at the same time. If you get a bit chilly during the night, add an extra blanket or snuggle up closer to your other half.

Turn it Down

In the UK we're notorious for our excessive use (and dare I say waste) of heating. Yes, it gets cold, but there's no point cranking the heating up so high that you can comfortably walk around the house in summer clothes. It's a waste of energy.

If you have a thermostat in your house, turn it right down to about 18 - 20^oC/ 64 - 68^oF and put on a jumper. Remember you've spent the money on the jumper to keep you warm already so there's no point spending the money twice. Also be sure to close all the windows except for the odd small window to ensure good ventilation and air circulation - a bathroom and/or kitchen window is good for this.

Put a Lid On It

Simple, but effective: whilst cooking with pots and pans on the stove, put a lid on all pots and pans where appropriate (eg boiling pots). The lid will prevent a lot of the heat from escaping saving you money. It'll also speed up the cooking time too.

Whilst you're in the kitchen, when you make tea or coffee, don't fill the kettle. Only boil enough water to meet your needs for that moment in time.

Once you've got all of these in your mind, it's time to introduce your family to the rules. Explain to them what you're trying to do and why and maybe even introduce the mantra:

If you turn it on, turn it off. If you open, close it.

Once you've put these measures in place, you should see your gas and electricity bills drop quite considerably, and it won't be too hard keeping them nice and low either.