The cost-of-living crisis looks set to worsen, with many households worried about soaring fuel and energy prices in winter. A new poll commissioned by Smart Energy GB discovered nearly half of households say their energy bill will be their biggest outgoing in the coming months.
The poll of 5,000 adults found 56 per cent have already changed their energy habits in 2022 as the rising cost of bills starts to bite. Over a third (36 per cent) would, or already are changing their energy behaviours just to save money for the festive period.
Those with a smart meter are more likely to adjust their energy habits (42 per cent) to protect their Christmas budget, compared to those without (19 per cent). It also emerged that prior to the Energy Price Guarantee announcement in September 2022, 52 per cent were still feeling concerned about rising energy prices - increasing their motivation to change their habits.
Even with additional support, the average household energy bill will increase by an expected £693, becoming 54 per cent more expensive than in 2021, according to Ofgem. Victoria Bacon from Smart Energy GB said: “Over the past few months, Brits have looked to find ways to better manage the energy they use and save money in the process.
“With temperatures set to drop further in the coming weeks and months, people will rely even more on heating to stay warm. It will be even more important to look at their wider energy use and the energy efficiency of their homes.”
When asked what they could do to reduce wasted energy, the most common thing was to turn their thermostat down by one degree compared to last year (27 per cent). Others have fitted energy efficient lightbulbs (23 per cent) and had their boiler serviced (15 per cent), the study found.
The findings emerged as part of Smart Energy GB’s Super Smart Energy Savers campaign, which has tracked the nation’s changing energy habits since the first energy price cap increase in April 2022. Ms Bacon added: “This series has looked to help people understand how their everyday habits can have a big impact on their energy bills.
“It’s difficult to change what you can’t see, but using a smart meter’s in-home display to monitor energy use in near-real time helps you stay in control. It is just one thing that could help people to save energy and money through the winter months.”
Vicky Parry from MoneyMagpie, said: “Winter is traditionally a time when household expenditure rises. With families coming together for the holidays, keeping everyone entertained and warm within budget becomes even more important to people.
“Throughout this year we have seen the cost of food, fuel and energy rising, which is why we’ve helped pull together some handy tips to help people manage their finances”. Here is advice from Smart Energy GB on how you can reduce energy consumption in the winter months.
Tips on how to save money on energy bills this winter
Go with the flow
Combi boilers work best when they heat radiators at 55 degrees C or below. This could cut your gas use by 6-8 per cent without changing the temperature in your rooms.
Get a smart meter
Using a smart meter’s in-home display to see how much appliances (such as a boilers or electric radiators), add to your energy spend, will help you prepare for dropping temperatures.
Keep the heat
Simple draught-proofing measures such as insulation strips around windows and doors, or making sure your letter box shuts securely, will prevent heat being carried away and help improve your heating system’s efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Cook differently
Microwaves and slow cookers can be much more efficient at cooking certain foods than an oven. For those spending more time at home during the winter months, the savings can soon add up.
Insulate floors
Insulating your floors by switching to carpet or even adding a rug is an efficient way to retain heat in your home. This could help save you between £30-£70 on your bills annually.
