5 tips to save energy and cut bills

Many small businesses, landlords and private consumers are expecting to be hit hard by the recently announced increase in energy prices.

Two of the biggest energy providers in the UK announced that they will be hiking their gas and electricity prices in August and it is probable that others will follow suit.

With the average energy bill predicted to reach an all-time high of £1,287, small businesses need to start making some changes now to keep costs at a minimum. Here are some simple things to remember so that you can reduce the amount of energy you use and cut costs at the same time:

1. Get on the right tariff

There’s not necessarily a need to find a new supplier; it’s about ensuring you are on the right tariff. You should consider looking into a fixed tariff which will safeguard you from future price hikes.

2. Energy-efficient light bulbs

First of all, you should know by now to turn all lights off when you leave a room. Businesses should encourage staff to turn the light off when they leave their office or even the toilets.

Energy saving light bulbs can actually save some money. According to the Energy saving Trust, sing energy efficient light bulbs could save up to £45 in energy costs over the lifetime of the bulb. Change all old bulb to an energy efficient light bulbs and see how much you could save.

3. Upgrade the boiler

You should check the rating of your current boiler. Boilers are rated on a scale of A to G, with G being the least energy efficient. If yours is lower down the scale you should consider getting a new one. This would be an expensive one off cost but could save around £225 a year in energy bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

4. Turn the thermostat and air-con down

Turning the thermostat down by a couple of degrees could cut energy bills by approximately £100 a year.

Air-conditioning systems can be extremely useful in office environments, especially in the summer, but try to maintain the temperature by opening windows before switching it on.

You should always make sure that the hot water, heating, air-con and any appliances are completely switched off before the last person leaves the building.

5. Consider solar panels

They may be expensive to install but solar panels can help businesses and householders save bundles on energy bills. The Energy Saving Trust explained how the system costs around £12,000 to install but can produce 50% of the yearly electricity needs.

Furthermore, it’s also a good opportunity to make some extra money. Any extra energy that is produced and not used can be sold onto energy companies through a feed-in tariff, potentially generating savings or income of around £1,170 a year.