Reducing Energy Costs – Information & Advice For Homeowners
We have all been in the situation; the gas or power bill comes through the post and the increase in bills almost makes you let out a cry on behalf of your bank account. This situation will only ever increase in frequency as the world’s natural resources deplete and more power is required by the increasing population. So what do you do about it? Grin and bear it?
The first step to take when you receive a bill that is higher than usual is to check it over. Gas and electricity bills can sometimes be confusing to read and can contain misleading information. It is important to ensure that you understand exactly what your monthly usage is, what the per unit cost is and how much the total cost of the bill is. That way you know if the increase is because of gas or electricity prices or your personal usage has increased.
After checking your statement, compare your stated usage with your actual usage by looking at your electricity or gas meter. Due to some tariffs being based on expected usage, it is common for over or under charging to occur. In the event of being overcharged for usage, get in contact with your supplier to enquire about the refund process.
The next thing that you need to do is to try to negotiate with your gas or electricity suppliers to see if you can get a better deal. Every utility provider will be able to offer a range of tariffs; though while some may initially look cheaper, they could turn out to be more expensive in the long run, so do your homework.
Consider changing to an internet tariff. Most companies nowadays offer an internet tariff that is not going to be dissimilar from an offline tariff except for the fact that you will receive bills in email form instead of through the post. This can, in some cases, save you around 10% on your utility bills.
Discuss with your suppliers whether direct debit payments will be cheaper for you. In most situations it will as the company can be sure that you will not default on a payment and they can actually gain interest on your overpayments.
It can be a daunting prospect, negotiating your utility bills with your providers. Though if all else fails, consider switching companies as it will still be the same electricity or gas coming through the pipelines. It may even work out cheaper to use dual fuel (gas and electricity) suppliers, but this is not true for everyone so spend some time researching before you decide to commit.
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