Here’s how to stop wasting money on your energy bills with some top cost saving tips for students.

The good news is that winter looks to be well and truly behind us – but despite our dependency on our boilers disappearing, many of us will still be looking for ways to lower our energy bills. Here, Tom Young from GB Energy discusses some of the ways you can reduce your energy bills.

The Obvious

Some of the most obvious ways of saving energy are the ones we overlook on a daily basis. Remember to do the following and the small savings can add up to a considerable amount over the year.

• Switch off lights when you don’t need them. This doesn’t just mean when you leave the room – remember to open your curtains to allow natural light to flood the room instead of relying on a lightbulb.

• Fill your kettle only with as much water as you need – one cup of tea doesn’t half a kettle of boiled water.

• When appliances aren’t in use don’t just turn them off at the mains, unplug them as well – computers, televisions, toasters and DVD players are some of the biggest energy suckers even when turned off, although pulling out your washing machine or dishwasher to get access to the power socket isn’t worth the effort. Fridges and freezers should definitely be left on at all times.

• Try to limit the amount of time you spend in the shower – a song or two should be more than enough to get you clean from head to toe. If you’re a member of a gym make sure to take advantage of the free showers!

• Use the right size pan for the job – heating a large pan for something small wastes a colossal amount of energy.

• Rely on readings, not estimates – taking an energy reading isn’t complicated and could save you money. If you’re not sure where your energy meter is ask your landlord!

The Housemates

Becoming more energy conscious should be a household effort, so don’t be afraid to remind your housemates to turn off lights when they’re not needed and to put on a sweater before cranking up the heat.
And what about those stragglers that are around so often that they might as well be housemates? You know, the boyfriends and girlfriends that are happy to shower in your home every other morning but don’t contribute to any bills? You shouldn’t be expected to pay for other people, so sit your housemate down and have a polite discussion about what’s fair. If you’re the one with the energy-zapping other half do the right thing and initiate the conversation yourself.

Switching suppliers

According to Ofgem 66% of people have never switched energy suppliers – while there isn’t an official estimate on how many students haven’t switched, it will understandably be much higher. It’s easy to understand why students don’t switch: for a start, since they’re only renting the property, they might not think they’re allowed to switch. However, anyone that pays their bills directly is allowed to switch – if you’re reading this, that’s probably you.
Another reason students are reluctant to switch is because they just don’t think it’s worth it, especially if they’ll only be living in a house for a year or two before moving on. Ofgem estimates that the average switcher will save around £200 on their annual bills, while some switchers will be £400 a year better off (and that’s before any savings from reducing your energy usage).
Comparison sites are a good place to start your search for cheaper energy, but be aware that they don’t all show every supplier and every tariff.

And when it gets cold again…

While it might be tempting to whack up the thermostat as soon as the temperature starts to dip, you should be looking at other ways to keep warm.

• Embrace layers – you should be able to get three on your top half easily. That goes for bedtime as well – an extra blanket or duvet can keep you toasty in bed.

• Turn your thermostat down – even if it’s just by one degree, as a slight adjustment can take a significant chunk out of your energy bill. Don’t turn off your boiler completely however – if you think being a little chilly is bad just wait until your pipes freezing and burst.

• Use rugs and matts – theseto make hard

• Keep your radiators clear – you might need to rearrange the living room, but having a sofa in front of a radiator simply absorbs all the heat, rather than allowing it to fill the room.

• Spend time in the library – your student fees pay for the library, so you might as well make the most of it! Bring your own lunch and flask of coffee to make sure your energy savings aren’t gobbled up by catering costs.

• Turn off radiators in unused rooms and keep doors closed – if you’re going to be away for the weekend you won’t need a warm bedroom. (You can always ask your housemate to turn it back on an hour or two before your scheduled return!)

• Cover bare floors with rugs – not only does this help insulate the room, but they feel great on your feet!