Posted: Thu 2nd Dec 2021

Energy bills could rise by £240 per household next year – but simple energy saving steps can cut costs

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Thursday, Dec 2nd, 2021

New research by Energy Saving Trust has found that energy bills could rise by £240 in 2022 for a typical three-bedroom, gas-heated home, with this household projected to spend a total £1,360 on energy.

With the expected rise of the energy price cap early next year, many people could see the cost of heating their homes rise to unprecedented levels.

Energy Saving Trust has provided the new calculations to help ensure that people understand what the energy price increases could mean for them, and how to minimise their bills.

To help people protect themselves against the projected increase, Energy Saving Trust has provided 12 simple tips to save energy, cash and reduce carbon.

Households who take the below actions could save up to £248 on their energy bills – reducing the impact of the projected increase in energy costs on people’s pockets, without compromising their health, wellbeing or lifestyle.

Using energy at home emits around 3,300kg CO2e per year. Taking the below steps would also result in a reduction of 674kg of carbon dioxide from the typical house, helping to protect the planet, reducing the typical home’s energy carbon footprint by 20%.

674kg CO2 is the same as driving 2,400 miles – that’s driving from London to Bristol 20 times.

Simple energy saving steps for every household Annual cost saving Annual carbon dioxide saving and carbon equivalent
1. Turn devices around the home off standby, or onto idle mode. £40 50kg CO2 (Driving 180 miles – Manchester to Newcastle)
2. Draught-proof gaps around windows, doors and floorboards by fitting foam strips, plastic seals or brushes – and seal gaps between floors and skirting boards with a simple sealant bought from any DIY store. £30 105kg CO2 (Driving 380 miles – Exeter to Hull)
3. Turn the lights off when leaving a room. £14 17kg CO2 (Driving 61 miles – London to Canterbury)
4. Use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures. £10 12kg CO2 (Driving 43 miles – Edinburgh to Glasgow)
5. Only boil the water you need in your kettle. £8 10kg CO2 (Driving 36 miles – Sheffield to Leeds)
6. 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. £20 110kg CO2 (Driving 390 miles – Birmingham to Aberdeen)
7. Keep your shower time to 4 minutes. £45 195kg CO2 (Driving 700 miles – Birmingham to Aberdeen and back again)
8. Swap one bath a week with a 4-minute shower. £7 35kg CO2 (Driving 120 miles – London to Bristol)
9. Fit an aerator onto your existing kitchen tap to reduce the amount of water coming out without affecting its effectiveness. An aerator is a small gadget with tiny holes – they attach to the spout of taps and are cheap and easy to install. £14 65kg CO2 (Driving 230 miles – London to Bristol and back again)
10. Only run your dishwasher when it is full to reduce the amount of water you use. Reducing your dishwasher by one run per week for a year could save you money. £10 12kg CO2 (Driving 43 miles – Edinburgh to Glasgow)
11. Similarly, only wash your clothes in your washing machine when you have a full load. Reducing your washing machine use by one run per week for a year could save you money. £10 13kg CO2 (Driving 47 miles – Edinburgh to Glasgow)
12. Avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes: dry clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather. £40 40kg CO2 (Driving 180 miles – Manchester to Newcastle)

Ofgem increased the energy price cap by £139 a year at the start of October 2021 and is expected to increase it again in April 2022.

This will affect around 15 million people – meaning that unless people’s energy supply is currently on a fixed tariff, their energy costs will be more expensive.

The UK energy sector faces significant difficulty this winter, with more than 20 companies collapsing since September.

Mike Thornton, chief executive of Energy Saving Trust, said: “Rising energy bills are understandably causing concern for people across the UK, with households potentially facing some of the highest energy bills on record this winter.”

“But the good news is that by taking small steps around our homes, we can make a big difference to minimising our energy bills.”

“As well as protecting people’s pockets, taking small steps to reduce energy consumption will also help to protect the planet by cutting the carbon emitted from our homes.”

Energy Saving Trust’s compares calculations using projected prices for 2022 with the three-year average of actual energy costs between 2018 and 2020.

Figures are based on a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house, using a gas price of 4.65p/kWh and electricity price of 20.06p/kWh.

The calculations assume an average gas consumption of 13,768 kWh/year and electricity consumption of 3,586 kWh/year.

Customers who are worried about paying their energy bill are encouraged to contact their supplier to access available support – and to check their eligibility for the Warm Home Discount Scheme, which offers a one-off payment to help meet heating costs.

Additional help, including energy saving advice and potential sources of financial assistance, is available here: nest.gov.wales

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email: News@Deeside.com
Latest News

  • Man who raped a teenager at a campsite near Chester jailed.
  • DECA Sealand industrial action ends after union secures improved pay deal.
  • MPs’ call for ‘modest’ increase in statutory sick pay

  • More...

    Man who raped a teenager at a campsite near Chester jailed.

    News

    DECA Sealand industrial action ends after union secures improved pay deal.

    News

    MPs’ call for ‘modest’ increase in statutory sick pay

    News

    10m homes should read their energy meter this weekend

    News

    Are high street banks leaving Wales behind? MPs to examine access to cash

    News

    Easter travel rush: 18.5m journeys expected, says AA

    News

    Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales to launch on Good Friday

    News

    Flintshire Council marathon planning meeting sparks concern

    News

    Welsh Ambulance Service “Think twice before dialling 999 this Easter”

    News