Although we’re still in autumn, it feels as if winter has already arrived. If you’ve found yourself reaching for thick jumpers, wrapping up in blankets, and turning the heating on since the sudden temperature drop, you aren’t alone. However, if you’re already relying on heated radiators and hot baths to keep you warm, it’s a sign that the next few months could be costly.
It’s easy to accept high energy bills as an unavoidable part of winter, but you may be spending more than you think. According to the energy market regulator Ofgem, the average household spends £1,125 per year on heating and power. There are several ways you can reduce this utility cost though, without compromising on warmth.
To prevent your energy bills from sky-rocketing this winter, follow these five tips.
1. Invest in smart devices
We’ve all been guilty of accidentally leaving appliances on standby but kicking this habit can save you around £35, according to the Energy Saving Trust. To help you remember, use smart plugs that can be turned on and off through your phone or scheduled to turn off at a particular time.
Turning off lights when you leave a room can save you a further £15. If you’re likely to forget this when leaving the house, you can use your phone to adjust lighting if you’ve installed smart light switches.
Smart thermostats are another worthy investment. Using an app to control the device, you can heat specific rooms, so you aren’t spending a fortune heating the entire house unnecessarily. It can also alert you to any wasted energy and identify where you can make further savings. Installing smart heating controls could reduce your annual energy bills by £75.
2. Get your boiler serviced
Having an annual boiler service will identify whether your boiler is running effectively. As boilers age, they become less efficient and increase the cost of your energy bills. All newly installed boilers are A-rated condensing boilers which can achieve over 90% energy efficiency and save a huge £200 off your energy bills, compared to an old G-rated boiler.
If you aren’t sure how to approach getting a boiler replaced, the BOXT ‘find a boiler’ tool will advise you on the best boiler for your needs, after asking you a few simple questions. The online service can also arrange the entire installation process, to make it as convenient as possible.
3. Draught-proof your property
If unwanted cold air circulates your property, and hot air seeps out of it, you may need to eliminate draughts. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to keep your home warm, even with the heating turned on high.
You can draught-proof your home with cheap and easy fixes, such as filling in any minor cracks in the walls and fitting thicker curtains. Draught-proofing doors and windows can save you £25, which can be accomplished with draught excluders. Installing a chimney draught excluder can save another £19.
If your home is especially prone to draughts, you can hire a professional to conduct this task.
4. Change energy providers
Research shows that nearly a quarter of Brits have never switched suppliers, even though it’s an easy way to make savings. It may seem more convenient to stay on the same tariff year on year, but changing providers can reportedly lower your gas and electricity bills by £250.
Use comparison sites to find a better deal. Once you’ve settled on a tariff, inform the previous and new supplier, and then they’ll organise the change for you, without disrupting your energy usage.
5. Minimise energy usage
Reducing your energy usage will obviously minimise the cost, but many assume this means being frugal. You don’t need to go from one extreme to the other, as small adjustments can add up and make a noticeable difference to your bills. Here are some examples:
- Reducing your daily showers by just one minute can save £8 per person annually.
- Only filling the kettle with what you need can trim another £6 off your energy bills.
- Instead of using a running tap to clean your dishes, use a washing up bowl to save £25.
- Doing one fewer clothes wash a week can cut costs by £8.
- Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree can save you another £60.
Although your energy bills are inevitably going to increase during winter, you can limit this to an affordable amount, that won’t leave you scrimping and saving to ge
