How to Save on Energy Bills When Living With More Than 3 People

With energy prices rising, larger households are feeling the pinch. Here are some savings tips for households of more than 3 members

At Edinburgh Letting Centre, we want to help you get great value for money when moving into a home in our beautiful city. We also want to help you save money after you’ve moved in. But in these economically turbulent times where Scottish homes face a rising cost of living, that’s often easier said than done. A global rise in wholesale energy prices has precipitated a huge increase in energy costs for households in Scotland. Earlier this month, wholesale energy prices climbed to an all-time high. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that your energy bills need to be astronomical.

If you have a larger family or share a student house, a larger number of people in households means greater energy usage. But even if you’re living with 3 or more people, there are a lot of different ways you can cut the cost of your energy bills.

Get off Your Default Variable Tariff ASAP

The energy experts at Papernest have a lot of tips to help you save on your energy bills no matter the size of your home. And while they have lots of tips to help you conserve energy, they will tell you that your savings can be enhanced by switching energy tariffs regularly.

In fact, it is estimated that the average UK household can save over £300 per year simply by switching to a more competitive energy plan. Most energy plans are fixed-rate, lasting either 12 or 24 months. However, after this tariff expires, you’ll usually be moved to a default variable tariff. Not only are rates usually higher with these tariffs, they’re rising even more sharply as a result of the energy market crisis. Therefore you should switch to a new plan ASAP to save on your energy bill.

Ask Your Supplier to Install a Smart Meter

A smart meter is a great way to help you take control of your energy usage. It tracks your usage and transmits it directly to your supplier. This saves larger households from overspending due to inaccurate estimated bills and ensures that bills are fair and genuinely reflect your usage.

Consider Switching to an Economy 7 Meter

If you have a larger household, you may want to consider asking your energy supplier to install a dual-rate economy 7 meter. When combined with an appropriate tariff, this provides savings of around 50% on energy costs when used during off-peak hours. These vary a little by region but are usually between 11pm-1am and 6am-8am. They offer great savings for night-owls. They can also help you save money if you charge your electronic devices at night or do a load of washing just before going to bed.

Invest in a Smart Thermostat

Finally, a smart thermostat costs around £200 to install, but can potentially save you hundreds of pounds per year on your energy bills. Not only do they allow you to control your home’s temperature remotely, they also learn your household’s movements and adjust the heating accordingly. No more money wasted on heating empty rooms!