10 tips for the housewife to reduce the fuel bill

1. Turn off all lights when not needed and train the rest of the family to do this too. Don’t leave staircases unlit though if you have small children or elderly people in the house in case of falls.

2. Turn down your central heating thermostat by a degree or two. If you feel a bit cool put an extra pullover or cardigan on. Thick duvets on the beds will make sure you stay warm at night.

3. Don’t put furniture in front of radiators as it will block the heat. Fitting heat reflective foil behind radiators will help to keep the heat inside the room. The shiny side should face the room. Turn off radiators in rooms that are not used and keep the doors closed so that the warm air does not flow into these unheated rooms reducing your savings.

4. Close the curtains when it gets dark and invest in some thick heavy ones for winter. Lots of heat is lost through windows especially if there are small gaps around the glass.

5. Have a shower instead of a bath. You will need to heat far less water. If you must have a bath make sure you keep the depth to less than six inches. Make sure your taps don’t drip and waste your precious hot water.

6. Don’t leave your TV, DVD, video recorder or other gadgets on standby. They are still using a considerable amount of electricity even when not switched on. This is just wasting energy as well as your money. Turn off your PC at night or when it is not in use.

7. Wash your clothes at 30 degrees. You can get washing powder that is specifically for low temperature washes. Also only run your washing machine or dishwasher when it has a full load.

8. Consider double glazing and cavity wall insulation. This will be a large initial outlay but will save you money on your energy bills in the future. It will also add to the value of your house.

9. Make sure your attic is insulated. It is a great investment. We all know that heat rises and you can lose 25% of your heat through the roof.

10. Get your gas and electricity from the same supplier (duel fuel). They will usually give you a discount. Also pay for your fuel by direct debit for a further saving.