Energy costs are rising – but your care alarm remains one of the cheapest devices to run

The recent announcement that the UK energy price cap will increase by 13% from 1 July, as a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has left many households concerned about rising costs. 

Under the new cap, the average electricity unit rate for customers on standard variable tariffs will rise to around 26.11p per kWh. For a typical household paying by Direct Debit, that’s equivalent to about £1,862 a year.

If you’re not a fixed deal, you’ll almost certainly be on a price-capped tariff. It’s now really worth considering switching to a fixed deal.

The MoneySavingExpert website has lots of really useful information on what you might consider doing.

At Nottingham on Call, we understand that every penny counts. If you’re thinking that switching off your care alarm to save money might be a good idea, please don’t. 

Your care alarm is one of the cheapest devices to run in the home – and it’s vital that you always keep it on to keep you safe.

How much does a care alarm cost to run

A typical Nottingham on Call care alarm uses around 2 watts of power continuously.

Based on the July price cap, a 2-watt care alarm costs:

• Around 1.3p per day
• Around 9p per week
• Around £4.75 per year

That's less than the price of a cup of coffee and a cake, for an entire year's worth of protection and peace of mind!

Small cost, big protection

Your care alarm provides a vital link to help whenever you need it. Whether it's a fall, a medical emergency, or simply needing reassurance, the alarm is there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For less than 9p a week, it offers a level of safety and independence that would be impossible to replace for the same cost.

How a care alarm compares

Here are some approximate running costs of other devices based on the July price cap – showing that your care alarm is one of the most energy efficient electrical devices you can have in your home:

Please keep your alarm switched on

When looking for ways to save money, it's natural to review everything that uses electricity. However, the savings from turning off a care alarm would amount to less than £5 per year, while the loss of protection could be significant.

Your care alarm is designed to give you, your family, and your loved ones confidence and peace of mind that help is available whenever it is needed.

For around 9p per week, it continues to provide something that's difficult to put a price on: safety, independence, and peace of mind.