Energy Doctor's tips
16 January 2025
1 min read
Kate Urwin is a recognised specialist in the subject of household energy and energy efficiency, who founded the Yorkshire Energy Doctor CIC in 2014. Here she shares some tips to help you be more energy efficient and reduce your bills.
" The last 3 years have been an exceptional time with energy never being far from headline news - record energy prices, energy suppliers going bust, smart meters not working and the recent loss of the winter fuel payment for most pensioners.
Now, 6 million households in the UK are in fuel poverty - that's nearly 1 in 4 - needing to spend 10% or more of their household income to adequately heat their home.
Not only does this have significant health implications, for example the NHS spends £540 million every year treating illnesses linked to cold homes, it also has an impact in other ways, such as on our school children, with those in the UK missing more school days due to effects of damp than any EU member state.
It is easy to think that prices are just high and we just have to cope, but there are actions we can all take and I've shared three key tips below.
As you read through them, think about what you could do in your own home, but also what may be relevant to other people you know - such as colleagues, family members or friends."
1. Energy prices
Signing up to a fixed tariff, setting up a direct debit, or choosing a specialist tariff if you have a heat pump or electric vehicle should all reduce your energy costs. Also check if your energy supplier has a scheme to help clear debt or if they provide one-off financial grants, electric blankets or other practical support.
2. Energy efficiency
Start with identifying areas of energy wastage in the home. An LED lightbulb costs 3p for 10 hours, an electric shower 37p for 10 minutes, so concentrate any initial energy saving efforts on the household appliances that cost the most to run e.g. electric ovens, heaters, tumble dryers and washing machines. Also, review the settings for your heating to avoid wasted energy. Making a home more energy efficient through measures like insulation will make the biggest difference to your bills and comfort, so check what grants are available (some are means-tested, others aren’t).
3. Household income
Household income is a key influence on the affordability of energy bills so our final tip is to do a check of benefits entitlements. Nearly £23 billion of benefits go unclaimed every year, including Universal Credit, Council Tax support, Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance. There are several online benefits calculators and there is nothing to lose by checking.
Kate Urwin
In 2014, following a successful career in local authorities, Kate founded the Yorkshire Energy Doctor CIC and now provides and has now provided energy advice to thousands of households, while working with energy providers to offer customer focussed solutions to energy issues. In 2018 she was awarded the government ‘Heat Hero’ award for her work, picking up the award in the Houses of Parliament.
Yorkshire Energy Doctor