British Gas Offers Practical Energy-Saving Advice
British Gas, the UK’s leading energy provider, recommends five straightforward steps for households to reduce energy costs following the holiday season. Implementing these measures could collectively save families up to £259 annually on their bills.
Key Energy-Saving Recommendations
One effective tip involves insulating the hot water tank with a jacket, potentially cutting costs by £50 per year by retaining heat more efficiently.
Households can avoid using tumble dryers altogether to save up to £60 annually, opting instead for air-drying clothes when possible.
For laundry, washing clothes only once a week and lowering the water temperature to 30°C or below may yield savings of up to £29 each year.
Turning off electronics completely rather than leaving them on standby mode helps conserve energy and could reduce expenses by £55 over 12 months.
Finally, shortening showers to four minutes limits hot water usage and stands to save up to £70 per year.
Recent Performance in Customer Satisfaction Rankings
These suggestions come amid scrutiny of major energy suppliers. An annual evaluation by consumer organization Which? ranked British Gas, Scottish Power, and EDF among the lowest performers, each scoring below 60% overall and earning just two stars in customer service surveys.
Scottish Power ranked last with 56%, particularly criticized for poor complaint handling. EDF followed with 58%, affected by limited monitoring of phone and email support lines. British Gas placed third from the bottom at 59%, noted for adequate support levels but challenges in resolving complaints and facilitating customer switches.
A spokesperson for Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, stated: “Our investment in customer service is delivering results. 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.”
