Please enter your search

Energy bill reduction

Age UK have useful advice on

• Government help for energy bills
• Energy saving tips to reduce your energy bills
• How to save on water bills

Tips from Bristol Energy Network to save energy in your home

How can we reduce our energy bills?

• Maximise our incomes by getting government support
• Get support from local organisations
• Reduce our home energy use – behaviour change
• Reducing heat loss in our homes – retrofit and draught proofing
• Check your tariff on your bill – it will tell you if you could be on better tariff – NB if you pay on receipt of bill it can be up to 8% more expensive (pre-payment meters cost the same as monthly direct debit)

Priority Services Register

The PSR is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there’s an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply.
It includes people you may be caring for in the household. Energy Suppliers, National Grid and Water Companies all have PSRs. Let your supplier know if this is you or your household. Join the Priority Services Register here.

Warmer Homes Advice and Money Project

The Home Energy Team offers free energy advice and support to Bristol residents. This includes:

• Funding for heating system and insulation upgrades (for eligible householders)
• Financial support for household bills
• Electric throws to keep you warm in winter
  Call helpline on 0800 082 2234 or email home.energy@cse.org.uk

Changing our energy use at home

The most important advice is that we should all have our heating ON when it is cold! Recommended room temperature is 18-21’C.

• Reduce the flow temp on your boiler:
  • 50’C for hot water / 55’C for heating / Hot water cylinder- 55’C
• Ventilation is really important when we draught proof.
  • Moisture needs to get out – especially bathrooms/ kitchens or can cause damp & mould
  • Use extractors fans- cheap to run. Or open window
• Time your heating:
  • Set a timer/thermostat for heating to come on 30 mins before you get up so you do not feel so cold on waking and crank up the temp
  • Try and not turn off/on but stick to timings and temp settings
• Keep yourself warm:
  • Wear jumpers and use blankets
  • Keep the room you spend most time in the warmest
• Happy radiators:
  • Move furniture slightly away from radiators to allow hot air to move
  • Don’t dry clothes directly on radiator- use a rack
  • Add reflective foil behind the radiator
  • Clean dust from the radiators
  • Get smart radiator valves for controlling rooms separately
• Insulate:
  • Around windows, under doors/ Loft hatch /Under floor if doing work (and rugs/carpets if not) and water tank if you have one.
• Look after your fridge:
  • Your fridge and freezer run most efficiently when they’re defrosted regularly.
• Use Eco settings:
  • Dishwasher eco programs cut energy use by around 16%
  • 30’C will clean most clothes
• Bedtime routine:
  • Check appliances are turned off
  • Draw curtains (as sun goes down) to keep heat in
• Short Showers
  • Try to have showers rather than baths and if you can keep them to 4 minutes and under you will save lots of energy.

What is Bristol City Council doing about climate change?
Council action on Climate Change