British Gas, the United Kingdom's largest energy supplier, has published a comprehensive set of energy-saving recommendations on its official website following the Christmas period. The company is actively encouraging households across the nation to adopt these practical measures, which could collectively lead to substantial financial savings on annual energy expenses.
Five Key Instructions for Significant Bill Reductions
The energy giant has outlined five specific actions that consumers can implement to reduce their energy consumption and lower their bills. According to British Gas, following these guidelines could result in combined savings of approximately £259 per year for the average household.
Insulate Your Hot Water Tank
British Gas advises covering your hot water tank with a properly fitted insulated jacket. This simple measure helps to retain heat more effectively, reducing the need for frequent reheating. The company estimates this could save households up to £50 annually on their energy bills.
Avoid Using Tumble Dryers
The second recommendation involves reducing or eliminating tumble dryer usage. By opting for air drying methods instead, consumers could potentially save up to £60 each year. This represents one of the most substantial individual savings opportunities among the suggested measures.
Optimise Washing Machine Usage
British Gas suggests washing clothes just once per week and reducing the washing temperature to at least 30°C. This combination of reduced frequency and lower temperature washing could lead to savings of up to £29 annually, while still maintaining clothing cleanliness.
Switch Off Electronics Completely
Another important tip involves turning electronics off at the power source rather than leaving them on standby mode. Many devices continue to draw power even when not in active use, and addressing this could save households up to £55 per year according to British Gas calculations.
Reduce Shower Duration
The final recommendation focuses on water heating efficiency. By limiting shower time to just four minutes, households could achieve savings of up to £70 annually. This measure addresses both water consumption and the energy required to heat that water.
Context of Customer Service Challenges
This energy-saving advice comes at a time when British Gas faces scrutiny regarding its customer service performance. Recent annual rankings from consumer organisation Which? placed British Gas among the lowest-rated energy suppliers, alongside Scottish Power and EDF.
All three companies received overall scores below 60% in the assessment, with British Gas achieving a score of 59%. The consumer group's survey awarded just two stars to these providers, highlighting particular challenges in complaint resolution and customer switching processes.
Scottish Power received the lowest overall score at 56%, performing particularly poorly in complaint handling. EDF followed with 58%, largely due to limited monitoring of customer service communication channels compared to other providers.
Company Response and Improvement Efforts
A spokesperson for Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, addressed the customer service concerns while emphasising ongoing improvement efforts. "Our investment in customer service is delivering results," the representative stated.
"Complaints have fallen over 20% each year for the past two years, and both Uswitch and UKCSI (UK Customer Satisfaction Index) have acknowledged the progress we're making. We know there is always more to do, and we are continually looking at ways to make further improvements for our customers."
The publication of these energy-saving tips represents part of British Gas's broader engagement with consumers, providing practical guidance alongside their service improvement initiatives. The company emphasises that these recommendations can help households manage energy costs effectively while contributing to broader environmental sustainability goals.
