To ensure that you get the most out of your boiler it is important to understand its controls and know how to use them correctly.

This will not only ensure that you can keep your home comfortable and warm, but will potentially reduce your carbon emissions and the cost of your heating bills.

There are two main controls on your boiler that should be familiar with which are as follows:

Thermostat

A thermostat connects to the boiler and regulates a room’s temperature so that the heating will come on until a desired temperature is reached and then will turn on again once the temperature drops. A programmable thermostat controls the temperature in a house and combined with a time control will allow households to set different temperatures at various times throughout the day. If a household wants to regulate the temperature they can install a thermostatic radiator valve which senses the air temperature around them and regulates the flow and heat of the water sent to the radiator it is fitted to.

It is important to ensure that you can use your thermostat correctly as if you do this can mean savings on your energy bill. As by just reducing the temperature by a degree it will mean you can save up to 10% on your heating bill.

Timer and programmer

A timer is a device on a boiler that sets the time that you want the boiler to come on whereas a programmer allows you to set times for the boiler to come on, on different days. The difference between the two is that a timer operates the boiler at the same time every day where the programmer allows you to choose different times dependent on the day of the week.

These controls are important to understand as you can set ‘on’ and ‘off’ time periods. You may also be able to control both the central heating as well as the hot water. The controls mean that you can calculate how long it takes to warm up your house and set the timer to do this for you. Therefore, in the morning before you get up and in the evening when you get home from work, the heating timer can warm up the house for you.

The timer and programmer control combined with the thermostat control means you can set the heating to come on and regulate what that temperature will be in each room.

Knowing what these controls do is therefore important to ensure the energy efficiency of your household and can help you reduce your energy bills while ensuring the temperature of your house is always maintained.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

Npower was recently fined £2m by Ofcom for breaching the regulations that are set out to deal with customer complaints. The breach by Npower included them failing to record all the details required in relation to customer complaints as well as failing to give customers important details about the Energy Ombudsman’s redress service. This fine follows a similar one given to British Gas in July for a comparable breach of regulations and it has come to light that EDF energy is also being investigated.

It has transpired from Ofcom that there has been a huge rise in customer complaints with over 530,000 received this year. Statistics show this year (to the end of September 2011) that the most complaints were against British Gas who had 197,682 complaints (12.37 per 1,000), Scottish & Southern Energy with 106,444 complaints (12.1 per 1,000), EON with 60,798 complaints (12.16 per 1,000) and EDF Energy had 48,730 complaints (8.86 per 1,000).

It should be noted that a complaint is defined as a problem that hasn’t been dealt with or resolved by the end of the next working day from when it was made – and the reason for all these complaints? It appears to be along the common themes of being billed incorrectly, problems with getting through to the call centre and poor treatment received by the staff at the energy company.

It is no surprise then that consumers are becoming increasingly disillusioned with energy companies as it appears that they aren’t dealing with complaints satisfactory as well as having increased their energy prices. These increased prices during this economic recession means many households face a tough winter and a difficulty paying fuel bills which will plunge many households into fuel poverty.

It is therefore an ideal time for an energy company to start convincing consumers that they understand their plight, needs and complaints. Energy companies currently have a bad reputation and they need to start showing consumers that they can be trusted. It isn’t much for consumers to ask that energy companies comply with all regulations and standards, and look to their needs.

Interestingly, the industry regulator has suggested that new operators should be brought into the sector to help reduce ‘structural inadequacies’. Currently the smaller, lesser known energy companies are performing well and shaming the larger energy companies. Companies such as Ecotricity who had just 0.55 complaints per 1,000 are leading the way. So with a shake-up and additional competitors in the energy sector will this help ensure consumer welfare for all?

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

When people are looking to prepare their households for the winter months they are often busy concerning themselves with looking at ways to make their home energy efficient such as checking loft insulation. However, many people often overlook safety measures related to their property and buying the most important safety device of them all – a carbon monoxide alarm.

A recent service has shown some frightening statistics with only one in three households owning a carbon monoxide alarm and only one in five people knowing that this odourless gas can kill. Last year 50 people in the UK lost their lives through carbon monoxide poisoning and a further 4,000 people were hospitalised because of the gas, so households really need to take heed.

Carbon monoxide gas becomes an issue if a gas appliance such as a boiler becomes faulty or poorly ventilated. When this happens the appliance could leak carbon monoxide into the household and because the gas is odourless, colourless and tasteless it will be unknowingly breathed in by the occupants of the property. By inhaling the gas it will mean that the blood’s ability to transport oxygen around the body will be reduced and this can lead to confusion, coma and death in severe cases.

To ensure that your gas appliance isn’t leaking carbon monoxide then it will be important to get your appliance serviced regularly. You can also look out for tell-tale signs that your appliance may be leaking gas. These signs include the appliance burning a yellow or orange flame instead of a blue flame, soot appearing on the appliance and more condensation on inside windows than usual.

Your household should also have a carbon monoxide alarm installed for early warning against any leaking gas. These alarms aren’t expensive and are easy to fit so there is no excuse for not having one within your home. Prices for the alarm range from £12 to £50 and when purchasing one it is recommended that you buy one with an audible alarm which activates when carbon monoxide is detected. You should also ensure it has a British Standard EN 50291 mark or shown with the CE mark and have a British or European Kitemark, Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) or equivalent testing approval mark.

Once the carbon monoxide alarm is purchased you will then ensure an appropriate position for this device in your home. Ideal locations include a hallway or landing and the alarm should not be fitted to a ceiling but be visible at head height. The alarm should also be placed at least one metre away from gas appliances.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

If you are looking at ways to save money on your fuel bill then one of the easiest and quickest ways is to review your current energy provider and consider switching either your supplier or tariff to get a better rate.

How To Switch

Firstly, you need to do some research into the best supplier and tariff for you. The best way to do this is to look at some online comparison websites that allow you to compare the different energy prices and services online. This will detail all the suppliers and tariffs available and allow you to compare all the available rates.

You can also visit the individual supplier websites or call them to gain a better understanding of what they offer, as well as talking to sales people from energy providers who often come to your door or can be found in local shopping centres. It is also worthwhile letting your current supplier know that you are thinking of leaving them as they often will discuss and renegotiate the deal that you are on. However it is also important to note often the best deals are only available online as some tariffs will not be available to those who phone up for the offers.

Thinking Of Switching? Get In Fast!

The best advice at the moment, if you are worried about your electricity bill, is to find a cheap fixed tariff. But you have to be quick because many energy suppliers have a maximum subscription volume which, once met, means they pull the tariff.

So Many Tariffs, So Little Time

Most suppliers offer a variety of tariffs, which include:

• Electricity Economy 7

This basically means you pay a lower amount during the 7 hour night period.

• Online Tariffs

These tend to be the cheapest as suppliers try to incentivise people not to call and handle their accounts online. You generally have to provide your own meter readings and pay your bills online. However, be warned if you forget to provide a reading you run the risk of receiving a hefty estimated bill which can be annoying.

• Dual Fuel

You can obtain discounts for using one supplier for both gas and electricity. All the major suppliers offer this tariff which is useful if you want to make life easier.
 

• Fixed Tariffs

These are fixed for a set period normally a year or two but sometimes more. At the moment these seem to be the safest bet. As the market changes over the mid to long-term the benefits could be lost if prices fall.

There are a few other tariffs which offer benefits of their own depending on your usage and when you need to use the most electricity. Before signing up to a new supplier you should think about your current usage and find out which tariff will best suit your needs, especially if you have a large family or work from home. When comparing the different tariffs make sure you know how much energy you currently use by looking at a previous energy bill that you have received. Also if you have a dual energy supply then look at whether it is better to have the same supplier for gas and electricity or a different one providing each service.

Next you need to consider how you want to pay your bill as often savings can be made this way. Many companies charge you extra if you choose not to pay online or via direct debit, so this is a key consideration. Also when you get a quote then make sure whether this includes VAT as this is an extra expense that you may not have budgeted for.

Cutting Your Electricity Bills

What many people don’t realise is prices are different all over the country. Specific suppliers that once held a monopoly in a region often charge more. If you are using a local supplier you could save money by going with someone else.

It’s Not Always About Price

For the elderly or disabled it is not always about the price because some big suppliers offer special services which are helpful to those that need them. For example, N-Power offers a unique password service so customers can identify employees, which is great for security. They also offer Braille bills and you can even arrange for your bills to be sent to another address.

Finally when you have all the information and have made a decision about which supplier and tariff to use you can start the switching process. This process can take 4-6 weeks after your request so this may be something you will need to factor in.

Remember that at no point will you be without gas or electricity during the switching process, so there is no better time to switch if you are thinking of doing so. Your chosen energy provider will do all the work in switching your current supply and the only difference that you will experience is a change in the company name that sends you your bill.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

With fuel prices rising this winter it is important to monitor your energy usage to ensure you can afford the increased payments. And with a recent survey suggesting that 30% of households are prepared to go without heating for some periods this winter to save money, it is unsurprising that many households are looking to energy saving devices. From researching consumer opinion there appears to be three main energy saving devices that households currently use to help save money.

The first is a relatively new technology which is called an energy monitor. Energy monitors are aimed at helping households review their energy consumption by highlighting which appliances are using the most electrical power within their home. Energy monitors are therefore useful to keep an eye on energy consumption and to compare cost of appliances throughout the house. Energy monitors also help households realise the cost of leaving appliances on standby and how energy can be easily wasted. This has been quantified by the Energy Saving Trust who found that households that use these devices do indeed save energy with the majority of households saving between 5-15% per year once they own an energy monitor.

The second device used in homes to save energy is energy saving lightbulbs. Lightbulbs account for approximately 8% of a household’s fuel bill which could rise dependent on the number of energy inefficient lightbulbs that are used within a home. Therefore looking at ways to reduce and eliminate this inefficiency will save money quickly and easily as it is estimated that an average of £55 can be saved per year if a household uses energy saving light bulbs throughout their home.

The third device is energy monitoring sockets. These are similar to energy monitors but on a smaller scale. These individual sockets allow households to calculate how much singular appliances cost to run and how much energy is being used in real time. This then allows you to work out the energy consumption of individual appliances on an hourly, daily, monthly and yearly basis.

All these types of device allow you to analyse your energy usage. This combined with smarter thinking about your energy consumption will help you save money. Smarter thinking includes reviewing advice from organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust. For example, they currently state that by turning down the temperature of your house by 1C it could save you about £60 per year. So, combining this understanding with the above energy saving devices could really help to reduce your energy bill.

It is important though to remember that while these devices will help you keep an eye on your fuel bill this winter, the only way to truly save money in the long-term is to look at the efficiency in your home and ensure you have such factors such as loft insulation, double glazing, draught proofing and an energy efficient boiler.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain