Energy bills are already sky-high for many people after April's leap in the Ofgem cap. But they're expected to get a lot higher in the coming months, reaching more than £4,200 a year for many households by the end of January 2024.
Keeping the bills as low as possible will be a priority for many people as the winter approaches. Fortunately, There are things you can do to save money.
This weekend you can do one simple household task you've probably been putting off for some time. It could save you up to £55 - and it's a simple as flicking a switch, as seen in Leicester Mercury.
Because if you remember to regularly defrost your fridge and freezer, you can save a lot of energy. The more they ice up, the more energy they will use.
Melting that layer of ice built up on the insides of your appliances could see pounds saved on your next bill. It's estimated a full defrost on an ice-laden freezer could save up to £55.
It's also good to remember a full freezer is more economical to run. With an empty freezer the cold air is replaced by room temperature air every time you open the door.
If you have lots of free space, half-fill plastic bottles with water and use these to fill gaps. BBC Good Food suggests you fill the freezer with everyday items you are bound to eventually use, such as sliced bread, milk or frozen peas.
Switch off and unplug
Go around the house unplugging anything that is not necessary and turning devices off standby mode – and getting into the habit of doing this regularly. Energy Saving Trust calculates that you can save around £55 a year just by completing powering off appliances off standby mode.
Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. You may want to think about getting a standby saver or smart plug which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go. Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about.
Turn off your lights
Turn your lights off when you're not using them or after you leave a room. Also, replacing all the lights in your home with LED bulbs could help you save even more.
Forget your tumble dryer
Tumble dryers are massive energy drains, so on warm days hang clothes outside to dry instead and invest in a drying rack for cooler months.
Use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle and reduce use by one run a week. Only run your dishwasher when it is full and use eco settings if possible. Avoid overfilling the kettle – only boil the amount you need.
Check your boiler
A recent report by the Heating and Hot Water Council found households can save around 6% to 8% on their gas bill just by turning down the heating flow temperature on their condensing combi boiler. Doing this will allow the boiler to run more efficiently and could save around £200 off an average energy bill.
You need to go to the controls on the front of your boiler. To be clear this is not your room thermostat, this sets the flow temperature for the boiler. The way in which you adjust the flow temperature and the display information available varies a great deal. There is a handy online guide on how to do this at theheatinghub.co.uk. Another easy saving is to turn off the pre-heat mode on the boiler, which could mean hot water taps taking longer to heat up, but could save hundreds of pounds a year.
Invest in insulation
New analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit has found homes rated band F on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system, a measure of the home’s efficiency, are set to have a gas bill £968 higher than a home rated EPC band C, the Government’s target for 2035. The average home in the UK is rated band D and these homes will pay £420 more for their gas this winter, compared to an EPC band C home.
Energy Saving Trust also says that for those wishing to future-proof their homes, investing in professional draught-proofing and insulation in preparation for the winter months could lead to a reduction in bills by £405 for a semi-detached home. DIY draught-proofing is much cheaper and anything is better than nothing. Installing solar panels for a similar property could lead to additional annual savings of around £450.
A quarter of heat in an uninsulated home is lost through the roof. Most homes have at least some loft insulation but often not enough. Topping up from 120mm to at least 270mm of insulation will help.
Use fans sparingly and wisely
Fans, even when used on cooling settings, will send bills soaring. While you shouldn’t stop using them when necessary, there are ways of maximising their effect and cutting the time they are switched on.
Putting fans at floor level helps to circulate the lower cold air rather than the warmer air that naturally rises in a room. You can also create the ideal combination for energy saving by pairing smart fan usage with closed windows, keeping the fans working during the day and the windows open at night.
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