How To Reduce & Save On Gas Bill

The current surge in global gas prices means your household gas bills might go up by hundreds of pounds in the coming months. This fact, coupled with the usual hike in gas prices during the cold winter month, means your next gas bill might potentially be the highest one you have seen in a little while.

However, there is no need to worry as there are several steps you can take to save money on your gas bills. In this guide, we will share some of the most straightforward and practical tips you can implement if you want to reduce your annual expenditure on gas.

But before we get to that, let’s take a look at some of the other reasons why your gas bill might be higher than you originally anticipated.

Why your gas bill is higher than initially expected?

Gas leaks

One of the most common reasons behind your unreasonably high gas bill is gas leaks that result in wastage of gas and a higher gas meter reading than your actual usage.

Poor insulation

If your home is poorly insulated, all the heat generated by your hardworking gas boiler will be lost through the various loopholes in your home. With a high heat loss comes a higher demand for heating, and subsequently, a higher gas usage.

Faulty and inefficient gas equipment

Faulty or inefficient gas appliances such as ovens and boilers will result in higher gas usage, which translates to a higher gas bill.

Seasonal changes in heating costs

Some gas suppliers charge a variable rate that is usually higher during the colder season. As such, you may find that your gas bills are higher during the winter season than during any other time of the year.

Unplanned heating demands

Your gas usage for that particular period might be higher due to unusually higher heating demand. This is particularly the case if there was uncharacteristic cold weather or if you had more people staying at your home and driving up heating needs.

The gas supplier was not able to read your gas meter correctly

Your scheduled gas reader might not have been able to read your gas metre due to locked gates or unrestrained dogs. As such, your gas supplier had to bill you on an estimated consumption rather than your actual gas usage.

Top ways to reduce your gas bill

Insulate your home

If you hope to minimise your gas usage and lower your monthly or yearly gas bill, then it is about time you improve your home’s insulation. Without proper insulation, your bid to reduce your gas bill will be an uphill task. This is because your gas boiler will be overworked as the heat it generates will be continuously escaping from your home.

Consider investing in the roof, cavity wall, and floor insulation to minimize heat loss and ensure your gas is being used economically. Roof insulation will cut your home’s heat loss by 25% and will save you about £250 annually if you live in a detached house and £150 if you live in a semi-detached house.

Cavity wall insulation, on the other hand, although quite a steep investment, will save you a massive £300 a year if you live in a detached house and £475 if you live in a semi-detached property. Floor insulation is also a worthy investment as it can make you annual savings of £75 for a detached property and £45 for a semi-detached one.

Stop preheating your oven.

Preheating your oven is essentially a waste of gas since the heat is lost once you open the door to put I your food. Instead of preheating, always turn on your oven when the food is ready to cook since gas ovens reach cooking temperatures within a short time.

Invest in a smart thermostat

Investing in a smart thermostat will enable you to effectively control heating in your home, and as a result, lower your daily gas usage.  Smart thermostats allow you to remotely control heating in your house and only warm the rooms you are using. Installing smart room thermostats will knock around £75 off your annual gas bill.

Lower your thermostat setting

Turning down your thermostat settings by just 1°C will cut down your annual gas bill by around 10%, which translates to annual savings of £80. There is no harm in knocking a single degree off your usual thermostat setting, considering between 18°C and 20°C is the recommended temperature for heating.

Set your boiler’s timer correctly

Since rooms usually retain their heat for at least an hour after heating has been turned off, consider setting your boiler to switch off at least 30 minutes before you leave the house. Also, set your boiler to switch off before you go to sleep as your home won’t need a lot of heat at night.

Run your washing machines at lower temperatures

Your dishwasher and washing machine contribute to a considerable chunk of your annual gas bill. As such, cutting on the gas usage of these two machines will go a long way in reducing your gas bill. To achieve this, consider washing your dishes and clothes in water at a temperature of 30°C rather than 40°C.

Switch to an instantaneous hot water system

Switching to an instantaneous hot water system will go a long way in ensuring your gas bills remain low. An on-demand hot water system will only come on when hot water is needed, thereby avoiding gas wastage, as seen in large hot water systems that constantly heat the stored water.

Switch gas providers

Have you ever considered that you might be paying higher energy bills simply because you opted for a premium gas provider? Well, if you want to see a significant decrease in your gas bill, it might be about time you switch over to a cheaper gas plan. The energy regulatory body, Ofgem, suggests that switching your gas supplier might help you save up to £150 per year.

Dress for warmth

One mistake that people make is dressing lightly during the cold winter weather. This often results in them turning on their central heating systems and cranking up the thermostats to the maximum. Higher heating demands means higher gas usage, and in extension, a higher gas bill. To avoid having to needlessly waste gas, consider dressing warmly while indoors during the cold season.

Service or replace your gas boiler

Another secret to lowering your gas bill is to ensure your gas appliances and gas heating system are in peak operating conditions. To achieve this, consider calling in a certified heating engineer at least once every 12 months to inspect and service your gas boiler and central heating system.

If your boiler is old and has served you for more than ten years, the chances are high that it is inefficient and wasting both gas and money in terms of maintenance. In light of this, it might be more economical and beneficial in the long run to invest in a new boiler.