SAVVY saver Neil English loves getting a lather on in the shower – and a simple trick has helped him enjoy it for less by saving £110 a year on his bills.
On a mission to lower his energy bills, small business owner Neil, 45, has come up with a nifty way to save money while showering.
Neil has managed to shave over £100 with a simple shower trick
He turns the water off whenever he is washing his hair and giving himself a scrub – and his stay-at-home wife, Vicki Watson, 45, and step-son Cody, 16, do it too.
His six-year old daughter Connie is too young to follow the trick – but Neil says the whole family is making efforts to cut down their energy usage.
“We’re the same as every family up and down the country – we’ve been discussing ideas on saving money on gas and electricity, as bills are skyrocketing out of control,” he said.
“My £1,600 a year fixed tariff with Sainsbury’s Energy comes to an end next month, and I received a shocking estimate that it will cost £5,400 to fix for one year.
“That email quote kicked off the whole family talking about how to economise.”
Neil estimates him, his wife and step-son spend roughly eight minutes in the shower on a day.
Each person saves around three minutes of water by turning it off.
Uswitch estimates that reducing your showering time by three minutes will save you 10p.
That means the family is saving a combined total of £2.10 a week – which over the year adds up to £109.50.
“I think simple ideas are always the best – and this tip means you don’t need to buy anything at all.
“All you do is switch off the shower when you’re cleaning yourself.”
It’s not the only way he’s saved money on his energy bills.
“The printer is switched of and the DVD player is off until required – they all drain electricity on stand-by,” he said.
“I’ll be turning the thermostat down too – that can save you £100 a year.”
How else can you save money on your energy bills?
Tumble dryers are one of the biggest energy guzzlers, costing around £1.27 per cycle, according to Uswitch.
Turn it off at the switch and use a clothes horse instead to dry your clothes for free.
While properly draught proofing your house can save £45 a year – you can use old socks and towels to put up against your door.
Checking your boiler settings could save you £95 a year – switch off the “comfort” mode and turn the flow temperature down.
Smart meters can shave £65 a month off your energy bills.
Washing your clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 could save you another £12.
You can also get help for your energy bills too.
Energy suppliers offer cash grants to those hardest hit by bills rises.
British Gas has recently confirmed that it’ll pay its most vulnerable customers grants worth up to £750 to help with rocketing bills.
Payments for the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme should begin from December.
Check here to see if you’re eligible for the help – you can get it if you claim certain benefits.
If temperatures plummet below zero, those in low income households can get a £25 payment.
The payment is made automatically, including to those on Universal Credit, for each seven day period of low temperatures between November 1 and March 31.
