You can try Notepad 2 .. It's free
http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html
When writing code open it and before doing anything click 'File' >> 'Encoding' >> and select your encoding
Or to make your default encoding UTF-8 or Unicode etc 'File' >> 'Encoding' >> 'Default' and select your default encoding from the drop down menu .. All files will then automaticically be in your chosen encoding