The water regulator Ofwat confirmed that household water bills across England and Wales will increase by an average of 5.4% from April. According to multiple reports, this increase equates to £33 more per year on average for consumers. Meanwhile, household energy bills are forecast to increase by as much as 20% from July, according to multiple reports, though the exact forecasted increase beyond that figure remains unclear, and the precise date when the July energy price cap decision will be made by Ofgem is not yet known.
Under the new April 1 price cap, electricity costs 24.67p per unit, according to multiple reports. Based on this cap, leaving a TV plugged in on standby costs £21.61 per year, multiple reports indicate. Energy supplier Utilita stated that a typical TV on standby uses 10W of energy per hour. British Gas noted that everything uses electricity, and people often leave their TV on standby or overfill the kettle, but they have handy energy-saving tips to help save money by doing small things around the home.
Reducing shower time can yield significant savings. British Gas claimed that cutting shower time to four minutes can save up to £70 per year on energy bills. The Energy Saving Trust reported that a shorter shower can save around 17,000 litres of water annually.
Lighting efficiency offers another avenue for savings. According to Octopus Energy, lighting makes up around 11% of a typical power bill. Ofgem, citing the Energy Saving Trust, stated that changing old bulbs to energy-efficient LED lights can save up to £4 per bulb per year. Octopus Energy further noted that switching off lights when leaving a room can save £20 per year. Ofgem recommends swapping incandescent filament bulbs with modern LEDs, CFL or halogens, turning off lights when no one is in the room, and using motion sensors to ensure lights are only used when needed.
Ofgem has shared 10 energy-saving tips to reduce energy usage and bills, according to multiple reports. These tips include getting a smart meter, installing loft insulation, showering instead of bathing, avoiding tumble dryers, draught-proofing, turning appliances off at the plug, switching off unneeded lights, not overfilling the kettle, turning down the boiler thermostat, and filling the dishwasher before running it. However, it is unknown whether all UK households have access to smart meters and what the uptake rate is. The impact of the conflict in Iran on UK energy bills and its duration also remains uncertain, and it is unclear which water companies are offering free water-saving items like shower heads and their availability by postcode.