Examples of comparison sites for gas and electricity include http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/ and http://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/, but there are many more out there – just try putting ‘price comparison site’ into your search engine. These are generally fairly straightforward to use – you will need to know which supplier you are with at the moment, how you pay your bills and approximately how much you spend.

However do be aware that these sites often request a fee from the energy companies whose details they provide and may be less likely to list those who don’t pay up, so you might not necessarily be seeing all the deals available. Another option could be to check out https://www.ebico.org.uk/ – a not for profit energy company who don’t charge any extra for customers with low usage or who decide to pay by pre-payment meters. Their tariffs are available to everyone and could offer some savings, particularly if you have more bedrooms in your property than people living there.

Some of these ideas (such as installing double glazing) require quite a large initial outlay, but will usually pay for themselves over a period of time because they will save you money in the long run. Others (like turning off appliances you are not using) are simpler ideas for day-to-day life. While the savings here might not be as dramatic, they all add up.

If you think you’d be interested in the greater savings offered by one of the more expensive long-term energy saving ideas, such as cavity wall insulation or double glazing, you may be eligible for help funding it. Check out this for more info.

You can also make savings through buying new equipment such as a new fridge or freezer, which may be more energy efficient than your old one. This can be expensive but is worth looking at if you could do with a new fridge or freezer anyway. If you need help with the costs then Cash Box Credit Union is also now offering a White Goods scheme, which may be able to help. This allows Tameside residents to get an instant loan of up to £300 to purchase kitchen appliances including cookers, fridge freezers and washing machines from the Co-operative Electrical. Interest is charged at 12.7% APR. For more information see http://www.cashbox.org.uk/white-goods-scheme or call 0161 343 7621.

Our top tips for everyday energy saving are below. Find more at Energy Saving Trust http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

• Make sure appliances are turned off at the wall when not in use, never just left on standby. Unplug phone chargers when you are not using them.

• Only boil the amount of water you need – although if you have an electric kettle you must make sure you cover the elements.

• Use energy saving light bulbs wherever possible – the design of these has really improved and you can now get them to fit most light fixtures.

• Fix dripping taps as soon as you notice them to prevent water wastage.

• Try turning the thermostat down one degree – you probably won’t notice the difference but it can save you a significant amount over the year. Remember though, the temperature in your main living area should be at least 18-21°C (64-70°F) and in the rest of the house should be at least 16°C (61°F)

• If you have a timer make sure the heating and hot water are set to come on only when you need them – a good guide is to set it for 30 minutes before you get up in the morning and set it to switch off 30 minutes before you are due to leave.

• It's a good idea to set the hot water cylinder thermostat to either 60 degrees Celsius or 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Try wearing an extra layer of clothes when weather gets chilly rather than cranking the heating up unnecessarily.

• Place draught excluders round all your doors to keep the house cosy.

• Try to avoid placing furniture in front of radiators.

• Place a sheet of foil behind the radiator to maximise its effectiveness by reflecting heat back into the room.

• Close curtains in the evenings and ensure they are tucked behind radiators rather than dangling in front of them as this will help prevent heat loss.

• Always try to make up a full load of washing as this is more economical then doing two half loads.

• Make sure you close the door behind you if you go outside to smoke.

• Hang washing outside whenever the weather is fine rather than using a dryer.

• Keep fridge and freezer doors tight shut and only open them for the minimum time you need.

• Try to avoid positioning your fridge/freezer near to a radiator or other heat source.

• You can recycle food and garden waste to use as compost for your flowers.

• Try using your bike, walking or travelling by train whenever possible. You could even try giving up your car completely – there are now many schemes offering car-sharing, such as http://www.whipcar.com/ or http://www.citycarclub.co.uk/

 

You can either contact your energy supplier directly to find out more or go through https://www.homeheathelpline.org.uk/, which can help you see what help you could get. You might also be eligible for a grant to help with your energy costs. Check http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/get-advice/energy/help-finder or http://www.turn2us.org.uk/ for advice, or see below for links to information about social tariffs from some of the main energy suppliers.

• British Gas Essentials

• EDF Energy Assist

• E.ON WarmAssist

• Npower Spreading Warmth

• Scottish Power Fresh Start

• Southern Electric’s Energyplus Care tariff

• WaterSure

You could also look at our Trust Funds section for more advice on the sorts of help that may be available. Finally, you should check our Welfare Benefits section to see if there are any benefits you could claim towards the costs of paying your fuel bills.

 

Contact your water company or look at http://www.unitedutilities.com/Allaboutwatermeters.aspx to check whether this might be a good option for you.

 

Not heating your house sufficiently can lead to serious illness and even death. Advice about looking after yourself in the cold weather can be found here.