Energy saving tips – how to help your customers save on their fuel bills this winter

Over the past year, the price of basic household necessities has outstripped wage and benefit increases, a margin that has been further squeezed by recent tax increases.

The most pressing concern for most people is the cost of energy bills as we head into the winter months. The price cap imposed by the government of £2,500 for the average household will still mean that many people are paying double what they did last year. 

Just about everyone is looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption this winter and plumbing and heating installers can use this opportunity to provide customers with valuable information while promoting their services – it’s a win-win scenario.

Here are some simple and cheap ideas for saving money on fuel bills this winter:

Turn down the heat!

Obvious but effective. Do people in the household where T-shirts indoors in the winter? Wear jumpers and save money! Turning the thermostat down by just 1 degree could save around £128 a year. 

Take control of your heating 

Don’t neglect basic heating controls – your customers can make significant savings by installing a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves (TVRs). 

Replace old lightbulbs with modern LEDs

LED lightbulbs have come down massively in price in recent years and they could reduce your electricity bill for lighting by up to 90%.

(Less) power shower

It’s a common belief that showers use less water than baths, however, this is not always the case.  If you have a high- volume power shower, the addition of an eco-shower head will reduce water consumption while retaining the feeling of high-pressure. It costs just £10-£20 and could save a four-person household around £70 a year in gas. 

Draught proof 

Save around £20 a year by investing in some self-adhesive foam strips from your local hardware store.  Block up gaps in windows and doors, including letter box and keyhole.  Use thick curtains on windows and doors to prevent heat loss.  Fill gaps in floorboards or around pipework with a silicone-based filler.  

Install a smart meter

Smart meters help homeowners to monitor their energy use and change their behaviour accordingly to save energy and money.  Advise your customers to contact their energy provider to find out a timescale if they don’t already have one. 

Change behaviour 

Be conscious about energy habits and only use what you need:

• Turn appliances off standby mode – smart devices are on the rise in British homes, make sure they are not plugged in unless they need to be.
• Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need 
• Spend one minute less per day in the shower

Book a boiler service with your local Gas Safe registered engineer 

Upgrading an old boiler to a new A-rated condensing boiler could reduce fuel bills by 30% – if it’s installed by an experienced Gas Safe registered engineer. However, if the boiler is still working, it’s probably better to stick with it. In this case, installers can recommend a boiler service which will make sure the system is running as efficiently as possible.

Now, you can use these tips to connect with your customers:

• Make a reel on Instagram
• Share tips on Instagram stories and ask people to share their top tips 
• Provide a tip-a-day
• Create an infographic on Canva and use it for:
  • Your social media accounts
  • Your website 
  • A competition for a free boiler service (to enter, get people to share your post and tag their friends)
• Create a printed leaflet to share with customers following completion of a job, or use it as a flyer in your local area. 

Are you looking to upskill this heating season? Check out our new entrants training courses, renewable energy training courses and gas safety qualifications.