Switch of your electronics

According to research by the Energy Saving Trust Brits spend £45 to £80 every year supplying power to devices on standby. You may think that your microwave or television isn’t using any energy when it’s off, but unplugging or turning off the socket is the only way to ensure that your appliances aren’t sucking up power when not in use.

Swap your light bulbs

Lighting accounts for seven per cent of household energy bills, but there are ways of cutting down this high spend. A raft of energy-efficient bulbs are now on the market, including Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Light Emitting Diodes. The swap could save you £45 over the life of the light bulb.

Don’t do a half load of dishes

Running a dishwasher adds £40 to your energy bill every year, making it a fairly costly convenience. It may be worth it, but there’s no need to be wasteful: wait until you have a full load of dishes to do before turning your dishwasher on.

Double check your bills

If you don’t have a smart meter – which measure gas and electricity in real time – your bills may be based on estimations. Always check that your bills are in line with your energy meter reading.

Compare your deal

Price comparison sites will help you see if you’re paying more than you need to for your energy. Always check the deal you’re on against other offers and, if a better offer beckons, make the switch.