Managing your energy bills is about more than the cost-of-living crisis; environmental factors are also important.

In the UK, around 22% of our total carbon emissions come from the fossil fuels we burn to supply our homes with electricity and heat.

There are energy suppliers who use renewable energy sources, but they charge higher tariffs than those who use fossil fuels. You may not be able to afford to switch to a renewable provider, and that’s okay. Here are some easy steps the Energy Saving Trust recommend you take to reduce your carbon emissions and energy bills.

 

Take control of your heating

Most modern homes are fitted with a thermostat that allows you to control room temperature. Reducing the thermostat temperature by a few degrees (e.g. changing it from 22℃ to 20℃) and setting the heating to only be on at specific times of day rather than 24/7 can significantly lower your energy usage and bills.

Heating a single room is more energy efficient than heating a whole house, and electricity is cheaper than gas. So, it is usually more economical to keep your general house temperature low and use a small electric heater to heat individual rooms when you’re using them, (which you obviously turn off when you leave the room).

 

Insulation matters

Poor insulation means that heat quickly escapes your home, which makes it harder (and more expensive) to heat. If your house gets chilly when the heating is off, try some homemade insulation methods, such as draft stoppers, to keep your house warm.

 

Reduce, reuse and recycle

Every product we buy has a carbon footprint. Save money and reduce your carbon footprint by cutting your waste and reusing products to maximise their lifecycle. Avoid using disposable items where possible. Sometimes it’s better to go for the more expensive item now to save money in the future.

 

Looking for more ways to reduce your bills? NTSUs Information and Advice service have got you covered with more tips and tricks.