With cold weather still lingering, staying warm while managing energy bills can be a real challenge. For many, balancing comfort with affordability is more important than ever. If you’re feeling the pinch, here are practical energy-saving tips, efficiency advice, and support options to help you stay warm without breaking the bank.
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Home
Maximise Heating Efficiency
- Turn Down the Thermostat: Reducing your thermostat by just 1°C can save up to 10% on heating costs. Aim for 18°C to 20°C in occupied rooms and lower settings in unused spaces.
- Use Zoned Heating: Heat only the rooms you use. Shut doors to unoccupied rooms to prevent heat loss.
Retain Heat
- Insulate Your Home: Close curtains or blinds at dusk to trap heat inside. Consider thermal curtains for added insulation.
- Stop Drafts: Seal gaps around windows, doors, and letterboxes with draft excluders or weatherstrips to keep cold air out.
Smart Heating Habits
- Use Timers: Program your heating to turn on only when needed, like 30 minutes before waking up or arriving home.
- Layer Up: Wear warm clothing indoors and use blankets to reduce reliance on heating.
Efficient Hot Water Usage
- Shorten Showers: Limit showers to 5 minutes to save on hot water costs.
- Fix Leaks: A dripping hot water tap can waste energy and increase bills. Fix leaks as soon as you can.
Cut Electricity Costs
- If you have an older appliance, ensure it’s running efficiently. If you’re concerned about its energy consumption, take meter readings before and after use to track how much power it’s using.
- Make it a habit to turn off lights when leaving a room. However, be mindful of security lights, adjust their settings to avoid leaving them on for extended periods, as they can consume a significant amount of energy.
- Unplug Devices: Turn off appliances at the wall to avoid energy waste from standby mode.
Optimise Appliance Usage
- Wash Clothes on a Cold Cycle: Washing at 30°C instead of 40°C can reduce energy use by up to 40%.
- Full Loads Only: Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads to maximise efficiency.
- Limit Tumble Dryer Use: Dry clothes on racks near radiators or use a heated drying rack instead of a tumble dryer, which is one of the biggest energy drains.
- Watch Out for Power-Hungry Appliances: Devices that generate heat or movement like tumble dryers, electric heaters, hairdryers, and kettles consume a lot of energy. Use them wisely to keep costs down.
Effective steps for Greater Energy Efficiency
Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances
- LED Lighting: Replace traditional bulbs with LEDs, which use up to 75% less energy.
Invest in Insulation
- Draft Excluders: Affordable and easy to install, draft excluders can significantly reduce heat loss.
- Loft Insulation: Adding insulation to your loft or attic is a cost-effective way to keep heat from escaping.
Use Reflective Panels
- Install radiator reflective panels to bounce heat back into your room instead of losing it through external walls.
Check Boiler Settings
- Set your boiler to its most efficient temperature, and if available, use the eco mode to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing warmth. Regular servicing is also essential to keep it running efficiently and reliably.
4. Financial Support and Debt Advice
Energy Discounts and Grants
- Warm Home Discount: Check if you qualify for this scheme, which provides a £150 discount on electricity bills for eligible households.
- Winter Fuel Payment: Pensioners may be entitled to this annual payment to help with heating costs.
- Energy Company Support Schemes: Many energy providers offer hardship funds or payment plans for struggling customers. Contact your provider to discuss options.
Free Advice and Helplines
- National Debtline: Call 0808 808 4000 for free and confidential debt advice.
- Citizens Advice: Reach out to Citizens Advice for guidance on managing energy bills and accessing grants.
- Simple Energy Advice: Visit Simple Energy Advice for tailored tips and information on improving home energy efficiency.
Priority Services Register
- If you, or anyone living in your property, are elderly, disabled, or have a long-term health condition, register with your energy supplier’s Priority Services Register for extra support during power outages or billing issues.
5. Long-Term Solutions for Energy Efficiency
Smart Meters
- Installing a smart meter can help you monitor energy use in real time and identify areas to cut back.
Home Upgrades
- Consider long-term investments such as double glazing, solar panels, or upgrading to an energy-efficient boiler. Look for government grants or low-interest loans to help fund these improvements.
Staying warm this winter doesn’t have to mean sky-high energy bills. By making small changes, improving efficiency, and accessing available support, you can stay comfortable while keeping costs under control. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help, there’s no shame in seeking support during tough times.
Remember – every small action adds up. Together, we can manage the cold while looking after our wallets and the environment.