Despite reductions in the cost of wholesale gas an electricity, customers are still seeing price increases when their gas and electricity bills land on the doormat. In addition to this, energy companies have announced increased profits, which energy watchdog Consumer Focus has slammed, saying that energy prices should be cut in order to pass on the reduction in the price of wholesale electricity and gas to their customers.

Energy companies have, it has been unveiled in an Ofgem quarterly report, made profits of £105 for each dual-fuel customer in February 2010 compared to £75 for each customer in November 2009. In addition, with British Gas having announced profits for 2009 of £595 million, a £291 million increase from 2008 profits; and Scottish Power having confirmed pre-tax profits lying at £1,293 million, it is understandable that consumers who are struggling to pay their energy bills will be less than pleased with this news.

Consumer Focus is therefore calling on energy companies to be fair to their customers and pass on the benefits of reduced energy costs to reduce their energy bills. British Gas have advised however that if they were to cut their energy bills by 5% they would not be making any profit. Their managing director, Phil Bentley, commented that if this was the case, British Gas would not be able to offer services such as installation smart meters, assisting with insulating people’s homes and creating more jobs.

If the energy companies don’t heed the call from Consumer Focus, there are a number of steps you can take to help reduce your energy consumption, and therefore your energy bills:

1. install an energy efficient boiler
2. lay loft insulation
3. fit energy efficient windows
4. block up gaps around doors and windows
5. close curtains in the evening and hang door curtains
6. service your boiler regularly
7. put on an extra jumper and turn the heating down

Boilers

There are a number of steps you can take to make sure you are getting the most out of your boiler. Regular boiler servicing can put your mind at rest that everything is in working order with your boiler and can help prolong its life as well as keeping it running more efficiently.

If you have an old boiler, you may be using more gas or electricity to heat your home and hot water than you need to. The government scrappage scheme can help towards the cost of installing a new boiler if your current boiler is eligible. You can find out whether your boiler is G rated and if you are entitled to a £400 voucher through the Government boiler eligibility website.

Draft Proofing Your Home

Another way of reducing your energy bills is by reducing the drafts that can make you and your house feel cold. Open chimneys can often result in cold drafts so if you have an open fire, get a closed in fire guard, or if you have more open fires (presuming you don’t live in a smoke-free area), this can be cheaper than running your central heating.

Drafts can also blow around windows and doors, and one of the easiest ways to address these drafts can be making sure your doors fit the frames properly, fitting draft strips and hanging curtains to block the drafts out.

Windows

Fitting double glazing and energy efficient windows can help insulate your home, keeping it warmer in winter and helping reduce energy consumption.

Related posts:

1. Reduce Your Carbon Emissions and Electricity Bills With a Baxi Ecogen Boiler
2. Insulating Your Home to Prevent Drafts and Cut Energy Bills
3. Reduce Your Energy Consumption With a Replacement Roof
4. Tips For Landlords: Gas and Electricity Maintenance and Repairs
5. How to Avoid Burst Water Pipes in Winter