Spend less on heating your home
With cold weather causing chaos across the nation, we show you how to survive the Big Chill on a tight budget.
Almost invariably freezing weather brings a spike in utility bills as around 40% of our energy consumption takes place during winter. Here are six ways to heat your home for less.
1. Beat energy price hikes
First and foremost, ensure you're getting the best deal from your energy supplier – if you are currently on your provider’s standard tariff you could save hundreds of pounds a year by switching. Likewise, you could save money if you pay by direct debit and agree to manage your account online.
Shopping around for a competitive tariff is especially important this month as recent energy price hikes mean 14 million households face higher bills this winter.
For more information on finding the most competitive tariff see Is it time to fix your energy bills?
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2. Insulate your home to save £255
According to the Energy Saving Trust, homes without insulation lose around a quarter of their heat through the roof and more than 30% through the walls.
Having cavity wall insulation could reduce your energy bill by up to £110 a year and you could save around £145 by insulating your loft.
If you're worried about the cost of insulation, a number of energy suppliers offer customer discounts. Likewise, some energy companies provide free insulation to those over 70 or receiving certain state benefits.
If you don't have any success with your energy provider, check to see if you qualify for a grant from the government. For more information, see the Warm Front website.
3. Get the temperature right
Just how high should you set the heating? It’s probably the subject of heated debate across the nation this week.
According to the Directgov website, main living rooms should be between 18ºC and 21ºC during the day and bedrooms above 18ºC at night.
4. Make your radiator more efficient
If your radiator feels colder at the top than the bottom, you may need to bleed the system to release trapped air.
You can also boost efficiency by placing reflective foil behind the radiator – this helps prevent heat emitted from the radiator being absorbed into the walls.
Also, try to avoid drying your laundry on the radiator as this will prevent heat from entering the room.
5. Keep the warm air in
The Energy Saving Trust claims draught proofing could save energy in your home and knock up to £25 off your energy bills, while sealing gaps around skirting boards and floorboards could save a further £20 per year.
If you're a DIY enthusiast, you may be able to make these modifications yourself for around £100.
6. Are you eligible for government help?
If you receive state benefits, it could be worth checking if you qualify for a cold weather payment to help with the spike in energy costs.
You could receive a £25 payment for each consecutive seven day period temperatures drop below freezing between November and March. You can see if Cold Weather Payments are due in your area by using the postcode checker on the Directgov website.
People over 60 are likely to qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment of between £125 and £400.
**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**
