Experts from Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert team have shared 10 top tips to help with eye watering energy bills.
The cost of living crisis is plunging families into despair as they are forced to make difficult financial choices. Energy bills are rising, fuel costs soar and grocery bills are increasing and Christmas is just around the corner.
Despite the weather warming in recent days, the region saw freezing temperatures last week, leaving people with no choice but to use their heating. Thankfully, the money saving expert team have shared their top 10 biggest saving tips.
READ MORE: Murdered Ashley Dale's family 'living a nightmare' ahead of unbearable Christmas
In the latest moneysavingexpert.com newsletter, these top tips could help save you hundreds of pounds:
Small tweak to a combi boiler
If you have a gas combi boiler, checking the "flow temperature" could slash your bill by £100 a year. Often, this is set too high meaning the boiler doesn't operate efficiently and although lowering it won't change hot water or room temp, it can cut gas bills by 9%.
Heat yourself without the heating
The money saving team have issued a roundup of all the cheapest items that will keep you warm, without you needing to put your heating on. From USB gloves priced at £10 that cost less than 1p an hour to electric gilets which also costs around 1p an hour.
The full list can be found here.
Control the rooms you heat
Turning off the radiators in rooms you are not using will save you money on your bills. Or you could consider installing radiator valves which let you control the temperature in each room.
The one degree challenge
The World Health Organisation says 18 degrees is enough for healthy adults, yet many set 21 as the normal. Try turning it down one degree (or more) which could save 10% off heating bills.
LED lights
Energy prices are at all-time highs, many people are worried if they can afford Christmas lights. Using LED lights would be the cheaper option in this case.
One 100-bulb string of white LED fairy lights uses just three watts of energy which equates to a total of 18p on average, if you had them on for six hours every day for 30 days. The full breakdown can be found here.
Water temperature
Instead of using both hot and cold water to prevent your bath/shower from being too hot, lower your water temperature. This is often set "too high" by default.
Microwave is cheaper than an oven
Microwaves only heat food and so they can be up to 80% cheaper than using an oven. However, if you are cooking a full meal, like a Christmas dinner, stick to an oven - or the cheaper alternative would be an air fryer.
Layering clothes
Multiple layers of thin clothing will keep you warm if you are struggling to find heat. The money saving expert team have put together a full list of the cheap layers that will help keep you warm. From base layer to middle layer to outer layer, items include long sleeved tops and fleece jackets.
T urn draught detective
Draughtproofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy. Decent draughtproofing can cut 2.5% off energy bills. Top tips here include draught excluders or chimney sheep wool. Some also suggest putting clingfilm on windows to stop cold air coming through. The full list can be found here.
Electric blankets
Electric throws and oversized fleece hoodies are also a good way to keep warm.- If you are looking for the cheapest option, a list can be found here.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Desperate mum living in rat infested house breaks down in tears
Nurse fights back tears as she shares harrowing conditions on wards
Road cordoned off by police after woman hit by bus
Virgin Media warns customers never to put WiFi router in certain room
Moment 'scumbag' women decide to steal from shop days before Christmas
