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Four ways to keep your energy bills down

Lucy Hooker

Business reporter, BBC News

Getty Images woman with a trophy tea in a Jumper under a blanket. Foreseen your shoulders as if feeling coldGetty Images

Energy prices are about £ 35 per year for a typical household, rising again in October.

The unit is the boundary on the price per energy, so if you use too much gas and electricity, your annual bill may rise more than that.

So what can you do to check the rising invoices?

1. Think of switching to a fixed rate

The energy regulator advises people to look at fixing – so the price you charge per unit gas or electricity does not change every three months.

According to Gary Caffell, there are fixed opportunities that are about 15% cheaper than the variable rate you will pay from the consumer website money saving specialist (the rate limited to the regulator’s cover).

When the cover rises on October 1, this difference rises to 17%, so it will definitely save money in the next few months to switch to a fixed agreement.

After that, it is a little more difficult to predict what the variable rate will be, but the fixing can save the typical household people £ 250 next year.

Before correcting, the money saving specialist advises you to look at all available opportunities, not only what your own supplier offers.

But what is the consumer group? It also recommends that you pay attention to any output fee when selecting a fixed agreement. If variable prices fall below your fixed rate and you want to get rid of it before the end of the agreement period, you may need to pay a heavy amount.

If you are already making a fixed agreement higher than the current price limit, check if you have encountered an output fee and whether it is worth paying to save your bill.

2. Payment directly with debt

Some customers pay their invoices as they have come every month, because they do not want their suppliers to estimate their use if they are excessively charged.

However, if you have a smart meter or send a meter reading that will not be a problem regularly, Caffell says.

And if you want to take advantage of the fixed deals offered, you will need to switch directly to the bank.

Customers in the prepaid payment plans – usually low -income people who struggle to pay invoices – are used to pay a higher ratio than others, but now they pay 3% less than the closed variable rate.

In addition, if they charge an electric car overnight, for example, there are a number of pricing schemes that offer cheaper intensive electric electricity that can manage their use. However, Caffell, the highest time prices can be higher in these plans.

If you decide to depend on your variable ratio, it may be worth making a reminder to your calendar to send a meter reading before the ratio rises after 1 October.

3. Check which financial support you can get

There are a number of ways for low -income people to access support.

This winter, everyone with vehicle test advantages will receive £ 150 from electricity bills.

Your supplier will automatically apply the discount if you are not in Scotland where you need to contact your energy company to ask for help.

Some people also one Cold Weather Payment

Furthermore, most energy suppliers offer their invoices and difficulties for the government who struggles to pay the government. Fuel Direct scheme It can help you repay the energy debt.

You can get more advice OfgemCitizen adviceOr your own energy supplier.

Low -income people may also be suitable for grants to help insulate their homes.

. The government has a plan It offers £ 7,500 for people who switch to air or GroundSource Heatpumps.

However, if you are hunting for grants, pay attention to frauds that act like official money -making plans.

4. Look at your energy use again

When the outside temperature begins to fall again, it is especially important to stay warm, especially for very young, old, and for those with low health conditions or mobility.

However, there are many ways to keep invoices lower without allowing the temperature in your home to fall below the recommended 18C.

Already thicker curtains may be hanging and you can block the drafts on the last winters, but remember to close the radiators in the rooms that you do not use and have not completed.

Money -saving expert recommends “heating not a house, not a house,” he warms.

Reducing the flow rate on a boiler boiler can save money as water is heated higher than it should be.

Instead of heating the oven for a small product, an air can cook and use a microwave oven and use energy.

Take shorter shower and wash the clothes at 30C instead of 40C. Dry outside, if possible, if possible, instead of using a laundry dryer or hang out clothes in the interior, but use a moisture to avoid well ventilation.

If you intend to move home or renovate, it is worth thinking about how to reduce the bills. When it comes to white goods, search for energy -saving devices.

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