WITH the days and nights getting colder, and energy bills set to rise again preparing your home for winter has never been more important.
The energy price cap increased by 2% at the beginning of October, meaning that an average annual bill for a household will rise from £1,720 to £1,755.
A simple boiler trick can save you £65 a year[/caption]
Therefore, finding ways to save on energy bills is crucial.
MoneySavingExpert has pointed out an easy and small tweak to hep customers cut there cost.
If you have a combi boiler, a key way money to save is to reduce the temperature.
These are usually set higher by default, meaning it doesn’t always operate efficiently.
Adjusting this setting can cut gas consumption by around 8% for an average household, equating to 940kWh of gas savings.
And save you £65 a year on average.
The boiler flow temperature controls how hot the water is when it leaves your boiler to circulate through your radiators and heat your home.
Lowering the flow temperature means radiators will take longer to heat rooms, but well-insulated homes can still maintain comfortable temperatures while using less energy.
Octopus energy suggest you could drop it to 50°C, though this will typically be better for those in insulated homes.
Upgrade your radiator valves
You could also take the option of upgrading your radiator valves to save money.
You can grab these at most local hardware stores, and prices start at just £6.42.
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) work by controlling the flow of hot water inside a radiator.
These energy-saving gadgets work by detecting the temperature of a room and then controlling how much hot water is let into the radiator
So if the room is colder than the number it’s positioned to, the TRV will sense this and allow more hot water into the radiator to heat up the room quickly.
As the room gets warmer, the TRV will restrict the amount of hot water coming into the radiator to maintain the temperature of the room.
And as the room temperature starts to drop, the TRV senses the temperature and will allow more hot water in again, repeating the process.
The average household can save up to £75 every year, if they have TRV fitted on all there radiators, according to British Gas.
Experts recommend that households set their TRV to 2 or 3 inthe average room.
Set your thermostat
Setting your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, is one of the easiest ways to cut costs.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, lowering it by just 1°C could save you up to £90 a year.
Experts also advise against turning up the thermostat on colder days.
Your home will still heat to set the temperature, even though this may take longer.
To stay warm, set your heating to come on earlier during winter mornings.
Check your radiators
Air trapped in your radiators could be adding to your energy bills, making them less efficient.
Common signs of radiator problems include clunking sounds, groaning noises, and cold spots when the heating is on, often caused by trapped.
This is simple and easy to fix and doesn’t require paying a plumber to sort it.
The Range currently sells radiator keys for just £1.99, making it an affordable way to give your radiator a clean and boost its efficiency.
How do I bleed my radiators?
- Turn your boiler off – Do this first of all and then allow sufficient time for any radiators to cool, ensuring you’re not coming into contact with boiling water
- Get your bleed key – if you don’t have one, you can get them in most hardware DIY shops
- Open the bleed valve – use your key to turn the valve a quarter turn anti-clockwise. Position a towel or bowl underneath the valve just in case water comes out
- Close the bleed valve – don’t worry about the hissing noise, it’s just air escaping
- Once the hissing stops, close the valve again.
Top up loft insulation
Insulation works by creating a thermal barrier that traps heat inside your home, reducing the need to turn on your central heating.
Around 25% of heat escapes through the ceiling, loft and roof – wasting energy and money.
Experts recommend increasing the depth between joists to 270mm for maximum efficiency.
This is quite easy to do and Screwfix offers six-meter rolls of insulation for as little as £25.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, topping up your loft insulation could cut your annual energy bills by £390 for a detached house, £230 for a semi-detached, £210 for a mid-terrace, and £390 for a detached bungalow.
Draught Proofing
Draught proofing is a simple way to cut energy bills.
Draught-free homes retain heat better, meaning you can stay cosy at lower thermostat settings.
Blocking draughts around windows, doors and floors could save you around £85 a year according to Energy Saving Trust.
Plus, houses with an open chimney, draught-proofing it when not in use could save you an extra £60 a year.
What energy bill help is available?
There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
