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By: Martin Lewis

Winter saving tips from the Money Saving Expert

3 November 2010

 

• Cut £300 off gas & electricity bills before winter comes
  
  While finding a cheaper tariff only takes a couple of minutes, after you sign up it can take over two months for the changeover to take place. So unless you do it now, by the time the high use winter period comes along, it’ll be too late.
  
  The vast majority of the UK is overpaying for energy - a home paying £1,200 per year on a standard tariff, would on average drop to £890 a year on the very cheapest tariff. The bigger your home, the bigger the saving.
  
  So, unless you're already on a super-cheap deal, it's time to sort it. When you switch it's the same gas, same electricity, same safety; the only real difference is customer service and cost. 
  
  Just use a Consumer Focus approved comparison company, either by phone, eg, energylinx is 0800 849 7077, energyhelpline is 0800 074 0745. Even better, do it online, as extra cashback can be available. Go via my website, not direct, to some of the sites and they’ll give you up to £30 cashback or a crate of wine if they can switch you. See www.moneysavingexpert.com/energy
• Boiler cover for £7 a month
  
  Don’t think you need to get your boiler cover from your supplier. It’s often available much cheaper elsewhere. The easiest way is to use comparison websites like uSwitch or Energyhelpline to scour the web, though do always check the cover's suitable. Remember to include Direct Line in your research, as it can be competitive, but isn’t covered by the comparison sites. It’s best to this online, as you’ll get a discount.
  
  And do it quickly. If you’re going to switch, best to have it up and running before winter – always check whether there’s an exclusion policy when switching, ie, if it stops you covering the first year.

• Winter fuel payments for the over-sixties.
  
  Any household with someone born before 5July 1950 qualifies for a tax-free payment of £250 or £400 for those over eighty.
  
  If you’ve received this payment before you don’t have to do anything. If you haven’t, it’s worth calling and filling out a claim form to make sure you get it. The number is 0845 915 1515.
• Free energy saving grants worth £1,000s
  
  There is an enormous amount of cash from charities, companies and government out there to help you make your home more efficient. Some of it requires you to be on benefits, a lower income or a pensioner. But, even if not, there’s still serious quantities of money to help you pay for things. Some can be for amounts in excess of £3,000 – so it's well worth it.
  
  You can find a full breakdown at www.moneysavingexpert.com/energygrants and use the Energy Saving Trust grant finder at  www.energysavingtrust.co.uk. Again, speed is of the essence, as it takes time to get a grant and then get things done.
• Get yourself an energy monitor
  
  These gadgets connect to your electricity meter and wirelessly send information to a digital monitor you can put anywhere. This gives you a rough indication of the cost of the electricity you are using at that moment. I’m a huge fan of them, they really do help you save cash.
  
  For example, with my monitor I know the rough standard run rate, so if I’m watching telly and I see it's higher, I can usually tell that I’ve left the lights or oven on and nip to switch it off.  They cost £20 - £40 and I think it's worth it, but a few energy suppliers offer them free. For example, Npower is currently giving them to any of its customers who sign up to paperless billing.
  
  However don’t opt to switch to a particular tariff just because it has an energy meter, as these tend not to be the cheapest tariffs. You’ll save more by going for the cheapest deal than the monitor costs, so better to buy one yourself.
  
  
• Cut your energy use.
  
  It is amazing how many people walk round the house in just briefs with windows open, complaining it's cold and turning the heating up. It is the obvious things that save you money, turn the thermostat down and pop a jumper on, use draft excluder, thicker curtains or higher rated duvets.
  
  The Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust.co.uk) has a tool that will help you give your house a makeover and change any bad energy habits.

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