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Tips to reduce your energy bills

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Steve is the Energy Advisor at Together for Short Lives, helping families understand and reduce their energy bills. Here are some of her top tips.

Reducing your gas (heating)

  • Turn off individual radiators and keep the doors shut in rooms you don’t tend to go in to avoid wasting energy on unused rooms.
  • Keep your radiators clear of clutter – when they are blocked by clutter and furniture the warm air can’t circulate and won’t be as efficient.
  • Bleed your radiators often to remove air pockets which will make your home warmer.
  • Fit radiator panels behind radiators under windows.
  • Close your blinds and curtains in the early evening to keep the heat in.
  • Get your system serviced once a year to make sure it’s safe and working as efficiently as possible.

Reducing your electricity

  • Switch off devices on standby, they are using power even on standby.
  • Turn off the lights if you are not using the room.
  • Be aware of how many lights you have on in a room. If you have the main light on, do you need the lamp on too?
  • Swap to LED bulbs.
  • Don’t overfill the kettle.
  • Use a slow cooker or air fryer instead of your oven.
  • Always cover pots and pans – the water will boil faster.
  • Avoid using the tumble dryer, whenever possible dry clothes outside.
  • Do not keep opening the oven door, you are letting the heat out and wasting energy – look through the glass instead.
  • Use the eco mode on your dishwasher and washing machine, you will save electricity and water.

Reducing your water

  • Use a bowl in the sink when washing fruit, vegetables or dishes. You can then use the wastewater to water your plants.
  • Fill a jug of water and put it in the fridge for a cool drink.
  • Turn off the tap when you clean your teeth. A running tap uses up to nine litres of water a minute.
  • Wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine or your dishwasher.
  • Always use the eco mode. Although it takes longer, it’s much cheaper.
  • If possible, take a shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower uses about 40 litres of water. This is about half the volume of a standard bath.
  • Use a water-saving device in your toilet cistern. Depending on the size of your cistern, you could save between one and three litres each time you flush the toilet.

Here for families

If you or someone you know is caring for a seriously ill child an needs advice or help with their energy bills find out more about the support we can provide you.

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