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Reducing Household Utility BillsReducing Household Utility Bills With recent increases in wholesale energy prices, the cost of running a home has risen dramatically. The question is, is it time for UK householders to start to change their ways and cut-back on the energy consumption? Anyone who is paying for domestic fuel bills should be shopping about for the most cost-efficient energy provider. In fairness all the major UK energy suppliers are much of a muchness. It would also seem that all major UK Energy suppliers have raised their prices over the last 18 months. With the cost of harvesting natural energy supplies such as gas increasing, and stocks of natural energy continue to decline. The long-term picture looks bleak as it looks as though consumers will be saddled with further energy price increases in the coming months and years. How much longer can energy costs continue to rise without it having a direct effect on peoples spending habits. It comes as no surprise that more people on restricted budgets such as pensioners, the disabled and low income parents are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for basic services such as gas and electric. Where once the UK could draw gas supplies from the North Sea, these natural havens of gas have diminished due to our ever hungry demand. In a strange twist of fate, the west is now becoming more dependant upon the East and specifically Russia and it's former federation countries for energy sources. So what choices do consumers have when choosing an energy supplier? In fairness the options for domestic users are few and far between. There are simple methods to usually gain additional discounts, these include: - taking gas and electric from one supplier fora duel fuel discount - paying by direct debit - paperless bills via the internet Your location can also restrict your choice of energy supplier. If you are worried about the escalating cost of fuel bills, you could follow these simple tips to be more energy efficient: - Central Heating: In the winter months, reduce your house thermostat by 1 degree. - Electrical Appliances: Turn all electrical appliances such as TV's and DVD players off and not on standby. - Light Bulbs: Use energy saving bulbs. - Windows & Doors: Shake your windows and doors. If they rattle, seal with draft exclusion strip. - Curtains: Draw them at night. If you have a radiator beneath the window, make the curtain long enough to tuck behind it or tuck the curtain into the frame of the window. - Double Glazing: Think carefully before fitting double glazing unless you need to replace your windows. Double glazing is not cheap and take as much as 10 - 20 years to pay back through the energy saved. - Roof Insulation: Great roof insulation is essential. Check to see if your current insulation is thick enough. Roof Insulation is fairly cheap to do. - Unused Chimneys: If you have a chimney where the fire is not used much, block it with a chimney balloon. Chimneys can account for as much heat loss as much as all your rattly windows and doors put together. - Energy Saving Appliances: Whenever you replace an appliance, from dishwasher to light bulb, go for the energy saving option, make sure the appliance is A rated. - Winter Months: :In the winter, if the house is cold wear an extra one or two layers of clothing! www.SearchandSave.com in conjunction with USwitch offer a service to help you find the most inexpensive energy prices possible. UK Power Suppliers include: British Gas, LEB, NPower, Powergen, Scottish Power, ManWeb, SeeBoard and SwaLec. If you feel your home of business energy costs are too much, you should enquire about tackling energy from a new supplier of cheaper gas and cheaper electric call www.SearchandSave.com on 0800 97 75 633 or visit www.searchandsave.com. SearchandSave.com want you to save money on your household bills, find out more about conserving energy and reducing gas and electric bills in the home visit: http://www.searchandsave.com/reduce_household_bills.asp Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colus_Branel
Gas and Electricity BillsGas and Electricity Bills You can save up to 25 per cent if you change your supplier of gas and electricity. You only need to sign the correct forms and take a meter reading when you change your supplier. You only get a different way of billing and contacts from your new supplier in case of a problem. The pipes do not change or are tampered with. You should compare prices between companies at least once a year as energy prices usually rise each year. 2006 was no exception as Powergen raised gas prices by 24.4 per cent and British Gas raised electricity prices by 22 per cent. Try to switch providers after all the major companies like these have increased their prices and no more are expected for some time. A few comparison services permanently pay cashback if you compare and switch. It takes about 2 months or less to receive this and is paid by cheque or electronically. It is only paid when the price comparison service can complete the switch for you. If you can find a price comparison company who can offer this, consider the money you will receive from this if you use their service when working out who offers the best deal. You may find it helpful to have copies of your last bills as figures to compare, but some companies can estimate your usage for you. You can save up to 10 per cent through paying by direct debit, making a fixed monthly payment direct from your bank account. Be aware that buying gas and electricity from the same supplier is not usually cheaper and some price comparison sites do not list all the deals available, so try a couple of sites to be absolutely sure. A few price comparison services offer cashback for anyone who switched using its services, keep this in mind when comparing prices. If you are looking for ethical tariffs, some comparison companies allow you to compare only these companies. People over the age of 60 years old can buy gas and electricity (must be both) from StayWarm at a flat fee depending on the number of people and rooms in your house, not on how much you use, so keep this in mind if you qualify for this. Back to top Suggested product highlights: As everyone's circumstances are different, it is not possible to say which price comparison company is best. Certainly Uswitch should be one you should be considering to use as there are good reports about the service they run. Energy Helpline and UK Power are also companies which are useful and can list by price, service or green tariffs. However do not be afraid to use some or all of the other price comparison companies listed below as one provider may not cover all individual gas and electricity companies and another price comparison company may provide cashback which makes it more worthwhile using them rather than another price comparison company which simply compares prices. Definitely start with price comparison companies rather than individual gas and electricity suppliers for all the above reasons. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Seymour
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