This week our #MondayMoneyUK Twitter chat was on ways to cut your energy bills.
Our host was David Taylor from Thinking Thrifty and he was joined by bloggers from the UK Money Bloggers community and our readers.
Here’s a round-up of the chat, plus you can listen again to David on our regular Share Radio slot. If you want to see the whole conversation, just search on Twitter for #MondayMoneyUK.
1) First up, have you switched your energy to a cheaper deal? How much roughly are you saving?
A1 Switched 2 weeks ago & shld save £50 on electricity, but last year we saved nearly £400 by switching. Worrth comparing! #MondayMoneyUK https://t.co/JU7yToBZCh
— MuchMoreWithLess (@MuchMore_Less) January 16, 2017
@thinkin_thrifty soz;-) YES!! Switched last sept from SSE to new little co Affect Energy and went from £90 to £66 per month. #mondaymoneyuk
— Mrs Mummypenny (@MrsMummypennyUK) January 16, 2017
@thinkin_thrifty Switched to @OVOEnergy save around £30 a month, pretty massive savings!! #MondayMoneyUK @UKMoneybloggers
— My Money Spot (@mymoneyspot) January 16, 2017
2) What do people need to think about when switching energy?
Making sure they check if you’re due a refund back from your current provider. Don’t let them keep your money! #MondayMoneyUK https://t.co/vACwQM3ENI
— LifeLessConventional (@LLConventional_) January 16, 2017
A2: Customer service! Cheapest isn’t always the best bet. I’d never use @npowerhq again after this https://t.co/FQ3zUw5e75 #MondayMoneyUK https://t.co/m97uMgJVKg
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) January 16, 2017
@SavvyDadUK @thinkin_thrifty and if they fail to take those readings and insist on using estimates RUUUUN!
— Chammy In Real Life (@ChammyIRL) January 16, 2017
3) What makes people so hesitant to switch supplier?
@thinkin_thrifty @UKMoneybloggers I think fear. Especially for some of the older generation. Not aware of how easy it is. #MondayMoneyUK
— Your money, sorted (@YourMoneyCoachx) January 16, 2017
@MuchMore_Less I think over or under estimating usage is a huge factor. You either don;t get the saving you expect, or you pay even more!
— Thinking Thrifty (@thinkin_thrifty) January 16, 2017
@AndyCleverCash I found this a lot when I worked in the industry, along with loss of supply whilst it changes! #MondayMoneyUK
— Thinking Thrifty (@thinkin_thrifty) January 16, 2017
@thinkin_thrifty @UKMoneybloggers Consumers can be worried about small companies collapsing, but they are protected https://t.co/jci98mrswF
— Savvy Dad Olly Cator (@SavvyDadUK) January 16, 2017
@thinkin_thrifty @UKMoneybloggers I think they assume it will be a massive hassle. You barely have to do a thing really! #MondayMoneyUK
— Katy (@Katykicker) January 16, 2017
@thinkin_thrifty @UKMoneybloggers It’s exactly that. So many people feel like that #MondayMoneyUK
— Your money, sorted (@YourMoneyCoachx) January 16, 2017
4) Let’s talk comparison sites. Which ones are good, which are bad?
A4 Had good experiences (& cashback) with @energyhelpline & always compare with MSE Cheap Energy Club @EnergyClubHelp too #MondayMoneyUK https://t.co/ejgqkPNs56
— MuchMoreWithLess (@MuchMore_Less) January 16, 2017
@thinkin_thrifty all as good/bad as each other. Check multiple sites then check direct+cashback. Work out the best deal.
— Chammy In Real Life (@ChammyIRL) January 16, 2017
@thinkin_thrifty The OFGEM site https://t.co/gWEMggNMQ4 is the only one unaffiliated I believe. They in turn list uswitch etc #mondaymoneyuk
— Mrs Mummypenny (@MrsMummypennyUK) January 16, 2017
5) Obviously, there are other ways to cut your bills, How do you use less energy at home?
A5 if you can afford the outlay, wood burners can save incredible amounts. Ours was about £350 #MondayMoneyUK
— Lesley Negus (@Thriftylesley) January 16, 2017
Here are my top tips for cutting down on your energy bills! #MondayMoneyUK @UKMoneybloggers https://t.co/wA80rLUiQL
— Thinking Thrifty (@thinkin_thrifty) January 16, 2017
@thinkin_thrifty shower rather than bath, low watt lightbulbs, teach the kids young to turn things off.
— Chammy In Real Life (@ChammyIRL) January 16, 2017
A5 Thermostat down, jumpers on. Thick curtains, shut doors, use TRVs on radiators. Low energy lightbulbs & switch stuff off! #MondayMoneyUK https://t.co/4RVAL0QNeF
— MuchMoreWithLess (@MuchMore_Less) January 16, 2017