Every one of us is an energy user and there are many things we can do to reduce how much energy we use. This is especially good news for the bill payer as using less energy means more savings. Use the drop-down menu below to discover ways to make your energy budget stretch a bit further:

Minimise your electricity usage

Did you know that by taking some simple steps you can save up to £375 per year off your electricity bill? Follow the Energy Saving Trust's tips: 

1. Switching off Standby Mode on your devices could save around £55 per year
2. Draught-proofing windows and doors could save around £45 per year
3. Turning off lights when you leave a room could save around £20 a year 
4. Switching to LED bulbs can save between £4-13 per bulb per year 
5. Using your washing machine more efficiently, such as doing a 30-degree wash, could save you around £28 a year 
6. Avoiding using your tumble dryer in warmer weather could save around £60 a year 
7. Keeping your shower time to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £70 a year on their energy bills
8. Swapping just one bath a week with a 4-minute shower could save you £12 a year on your energy bills
9. Avoid overfilling the kettle and save yourself £11 a year on your electricity bill
10. Reducing your dishwasher use by one run per week for a year could save you £14
11. Effective insulation of your hot water cylinder is important: even if you have thin spray foam or a loose 25mm jacket, you can benefit from increasing the insulation to a British Standard Jacket 80mm thick, saving £35 a year in the process

Make the best of your home heating

• Pull your sofa away from the radiator if it is in front of it. 
• Keep curtains closed to keep heat in.
• Draught-proof windows and doors.
• Turning down your thermostat by 1°C could save you £80 a year. 
• Servicing your boiler regularly will reduce your heating bills.
• Insulating your loft can save you around £155 per year.
• Cavity wall insulation can save you as around £185 a year.
• Solid wall insulation can save you around £250 a year.

Switch to energy-rated appliances

Switching existing household appliances such as a fridge and washing machine to energy-rated appliances will save money in the long run. You can also replace your household bulbs with LED alternative ones. LED lighting is extremely energy efficient.

We have developed some handy tools to help you see how much money your electrical appliances are costing you to run: 

• Want to know how much to run your washing machine or how much you spend on boiling your kettle? You can use the common appliance running cost checker on our website find out how much you are spending.
• Our single appliance checker will let you see how much appliances cost to run on a per-minute, per-hour, and per-day basis. This is handy for checking out how much that new fridge will cost to run.

Help & Support

If you are struggling to pay your energy bill, or you are in debt, contact your supplier for help. As through their regulated licence conditions, energy suppliers should support you by:

• working with you to develop a manageable repayment plan, this is based on your individual ability to pay;
• providing additional protection to you if you are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically ill; and
• providing energy efficiency advice which may reduce your usage and therefore your overall bill.

National Energy Action is the national fuel poverty charity, working to ensure that everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is warm and safe at home. Click here to visit National Energy Action's website.