As millions of households across the UK face financial troubles in the New Year over the looming threat of energy bill increases, the government is providing advice to help them save money and energy.
According to the government, households could save £1,300 on their energy bills throughout winter via the Energy Bill Support Scheme, as well as the Energy Price Guarantee - which is set to rise to by £500 in April. Some simple tricks and tweaks around your home could help you save money and better prepare your financial situation for the changes coming in the year.
The advice is par tof the government's £18m 'It All Adds Up' campaign which hopes to raise awareness on simple and 'straightforward' measures which people can take in order to soften the blow of their energy bills over the winter period. Some ministers have claimed these tips could save around £170 combined each year.
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Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps previously said: “No-one is immune to rising energy bills this winter, so it’s in everyone’s interest to use every trick in the book to use less energy while keeping homes warm and staying safe. For very little or no cost, you can save pounds. It all adds up, so I urge people to take note of the advice in this new campaign and follow the easy steps to cut your fuel bills.”
Some of the government advice includes households reducing their boiler flow temperature from 75C to 60C, turning off appliances at the plug, and adding clear films across windows - potentially saving a further £60 annually. All of the advice included could cut bills by around £350.
Reducing combi boiler flow temperature down to 60C
Flow temperature refers to the temperature of the water that your boiler sends to radiators. Reducing the temperature is different from lowering the thermostat and will not result in any noticeable changes in your home.
If you're over 65, or have any pre-existing health conditions, then it is advised to set the flow temperature to slightly over 65C to ensure your home warms up quickly enough.
Turning down radiators in rooms that aren't being used
When a room is not being used, turning your radiator valves down to between 2.5 and 3 (roughly 18C) may be a good idea. When you do use the room, you can increase the temperature to a comfortable level by turning the valve up.
However, you shouldn't completely turn off radiators in rooms that aren't being used because your boiler will have to work harder in order to increase the temperature again. People over 65, children under 5, and those with pre-existing health conditions should ensure they are warm enough and have a minimum indoor temperature of 18C.
Turning off appliances at the socket
Power-hungry devises such as computers, televisions, smart devices, and video game consoles often consumer energy while plugged into the wall and not beign used. By turning them off at the plug, you can ensure they aren't taking any electricity on standby.
Washing clothes at a lower temperature
Modern washing machines are capable of effectively washing clothes at lower temperatures. By changing from 40C to 30C, you could get 3 cycles instead of 2 for the same amount of energy.
Using the tumble dryer less
Tumble dryers are the culprit of being one of the most energy-hungry devices in a home. To save electricity, only use it when you have a full load - around three-quarters of the drum.
Otherwise, you could use a clothes airer to dry clothes outside, or inside with a window open for ventilation.Closing curtains and blinds can help prevent any warm air from escaping through windows and reduce heating costs.
Tracking energy usage on your phone
If you have a smart meter installed in your home, then apps such as Utrack can help keep tabs on your energy usage. This information can help you find the best ways to reduce usage throughout any given day.
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