For some young people, going to university is a rite of passage. And there'll come a time when you're not living in halls on campus anymore, but in your own place for the first time. Make no mistake – it's an exciting time. You'll have lots of hopes and ideas for your new home. But you can't, unfortunately, afford to overlook the less fun considerations – such as your energy bills.
If you want to keep the heating and lights on in your new digs, it's vital you know what's what with your gas and electricity bills. It'll also have a massive impact on your budget too, which is really important when nearly three-quarters of UK students worry about making ends meet. So, here are a few handy hints and tips to ensure you have power over your energy bills.
How to find out who your supplier is
It's always a good start to know exactly who the current supplier is to your new digs. After all, they'll be expecting payment for any energy use. If it isn't supplied in your rental contract, ask your landlord or letting agent. You can also check with the Energy Networks Association.
Shop around to get the best price
Once you learn who supplies the power to your property, you don't have to stick with them. In fact, there are often healthy savings to be made by shopping around and switching supplier. If you decide to do this, there are a couple of questions to ask. First, do you want a fixed rate or a variable rate. Second, will a dual-fuel tariff be better if you have both gas and electricity.
Read the meter to avoid estimated bills
It's not uncommon for suppliers to work out how much to charge you based on their estimates. But this may mean you end up paying too much for your gas and electricity. So, that's why it's worth getting into the habit of supplying meter readings each month. That way, you'll only pay for the energy you actually use. It might be boring – but it's cost-effective.
Even better is if your home is fitted with a smart meter by a supplier such as Ovo Energy. Not only can they send meter readings to your supplier for you, but they can show you how much your energy you're using too.
Split the bills with your housemates
Living with others? You'll be able to share the burden of your utility bills with your housemates. And you can do this in different ways, depending on what works for you. You can either all put money into a central 'kitty' and pay the bills from that. Or you can download a bill-splitting app that tells you exactly what each person owes.
Switch off anything you're not using
It might sound simple – but you'd be surprised how many people believe that appliances don't use any power when left on standby. It's simply not true and the only way to make sure you're not wasting electricity is to turn your appliance off completely. If it seems too much hard work, just think about how much money that could save you – it might change your mind.
