Energy tariffs are rising: 5 simple ways to save on bills.

According to The Sun: The United Kingdom is once again facing rising energy prices, causing concern for many Brits about their ability to pay their bills. Starting October 1st, energy costs will rise to £1,755, which is 2% more compared to previous months.

Energy prices are rising from October Getty

The main reason for the price increase is the expansion of the government's 'Warm Homes Discount' initiative and rising food inflation, which is expected to reach 5.5% by the end of the year.

If you are worried about rising costs, here are five simple changes that can help reduce your monthly bills.

1. British Gas PeakSave

Customers of British Gas can take advantage of the PeakSave program, which offers discounts for shifting electricity consumption to times of lower demand. Over a million customers already receive electricity at half price every Sunday, along with additional rewards for using renewable energy. Since the program launched in 2020, customers have saved over £28 million, with more than 16,000 of them saving over £100.

2. Turn off 'vampire' devices

Devices that remain on or in standby mode continue to consume electricity, leading to unnecessary expenses. According to Energy Saving Trust, turning off such devices can save an average of £45 per year.

The most electricity in standby mode is used by:

• Smart speakers and smart home devices
• Set-top boxes and recorders
• Televisions
• Microwaves
• Phones, tablets, computers, and laptops left charging

3. Replace light bulbs

By replacing regular bulbs with energy-efficient ones, you can save up to £4 a year from each bulb, according to Energy Saving Trust.

LED bulbs are the most efficient, consuming 80% less electricity and lasting 20 times longer than regular halogen bulbs.

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Such a simple solution as washing laundry at 30 degrees instead of 40 can also significantly reduce energy costs. According to MoneySupermarket, you could save up to £22 a year if you do one less wash a week.

Common myths about energy consumption

Gwylym Snook, appliance expert at AO.com, debunked some common myths about appliances and energy consumption.

MYTH - Your refrigerator with a freezer is cheaper to run when they are empty.

In reality, the refrigerator operates most efficiently when the shelves are full.

MYTH - Washing at high temperatures cleans better.

Choosing to wash at 30°C is more than sufficient for most items and reduces energy costs by up to 50% compared to washing at 40°C.

MYTH - Tumble dryers are not environmentally friendly.

Modern models with heat pumps consume significantly less energy.

MYTH - Boiling water in a kettle is always energy-efficient.

It's better to boil only the necessary amount of water.

MYTH - Energy-efficient appliances don't make a difference.

In fact, energy-efficient models significantly reduce energy costs compared to older ones.

It is also important to fully load the washing machine and use shorter wash cycles, which further reduces energy consumption.

5. Check your fridge and freezer

Monitoring the temperature of your fridge and freezer can help save costs. The recommended temperature is 5°C for fridges and -18°C for freezers. If your appliance does not allow this, you can use a cheap thermometer.

It is advisable to avoid placing hot food in the fridge as this makes it harder to maintain a low temperature. A full fridge also promotes greater energy efficiency.

Thus, despite rising energy prices, there are simple ways to save money. By implementing these precautions, consumers can reduce their monthly expenses and ease financial burdens.