MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert has revealed how households can get free gadgets to stop pipes freezing and save on bills.
The consumer website shared how families can bag any of one of 70,000 “winter insulation kits” in its latest newsletter.
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The kits come with devices such as tap jackets and pipe lagging to stop pipes from freezing.
Frozen pipes can stop your heating and hot water from working properly and if they burst can be expensive to fix.
The kits are funded by water companies and then distributed to customers by Save Water Save Money.
Currently, nine water companies are offering the kits. The full list is:
- Cambridge Water
- Hafren Dyfrdwy
- Portsmouth Water
- SES Water
- Severn Trent Water
- South East Water
- Southern Water
- South Staffs Water
- Yorkshire Water
Households can get other freebies this winter too.
Almost one million water-saving devices are available from the majority of water firms that can help you save money on bills.
Customers can get shower heads that regulate water usage, tap inserts, garden hose nozzles and cistern bags for toilets.
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How you can get hold of either the insulation kits or the other water freebies depends on who provides your water though.
If you’re with Bournemouth Water, Bristol Water, South East Water or Yorkshire Water, you have to go to the Save Water Save Money website.
Once there, you have to enter your postcode in the “free water-saving devices” search box to see what you can get.
Then you can enter your personal details and anything you’re eligible for should be sent within 28 days.
If you’re with Cambridge Water, Dwr Cymru, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Portsmouth Water, SES Water, Severn Trent, South Staffs Water, South West Water, Wessex Water, NI Water, Jersey Water, Scottish Water, Southern Water or United Utilities, the process is different.
You’ll need to use the Saver Water Save Money’s savings calculator on its website to figure out if you’re eligible.
If you’re with Affinity Water, Anglian, Essex and Suffolk, or Northumbrian, they’re not part of the Save Water Save Money scheme.
But if you go to their websites you might be able to get freebies there.
Unfortunately, Thames Water doesn’t offer any free water-saving gadgets.
All in all, the free gizmos could save you hundreds on your bills a year.
For example, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that water-efficient shower heads can save a family of four around £75 on their gas bill.
Plus, about £120 on their water bill, if they’re on a meter.
How else can I save on my water bill?
The Energy Saving Trust estimates the average household uses around 17% of its total energy consumption heating water.
So by reducing the amount of water you use in your home, you’re saving on your energy bills as well as water bills.
Beyond freebies from water providers, there are other things you can do to cut back on costs. Here are just a few tips.
Wash your clothes at a lower temperature
You might think you always have to wash your whites and other clothes at 60 degrees, but you don’t.
You can get the same results at a lower temperature and it’ll save you money.
Running your washing machine at 30 degrees and cutting out one wash per week will save you £34 a year on your energy bill.
Take a shorter shower
If you’re the type of person to takes your time in the shower, think again.
Water UK estimates taking a four-minute shower, instead of eight minutes, could save a household of four £165 a year on their energy bills.
And you’ll save an extra £100 on your water bills as well.
Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
Even though you only brush your teeth a few minutes every day, you could be wasting money by leaving the tap running.
Water UK estimates that if every person in a household of four ran a tap while brushing their teeth for two minutes, you’d waste a staggering 96 litres a day.
Over the course of a year, that’s £40 you’re literally pouring down the sink.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
In other news, a woman has revealed how she halved her energy bill with a number of cost-cutting changes.
Plus, an electrician on why you should never turn your heating off completely.
