We're all starting to worry about energy bills rocketing.
The weather is getting colder and the nights are getting darker, so we're all starting to crank up the heating. It's getting to that time where it's tempting to flick on the heating, but it doesn't come cheap.
Despite the new energy price cap leaving some bills to cost less than last year, there are still many ways you can reduce the costs and keep expenditure to a minimum.
READ MORE:Exact temperature to heat home while avoiding condensation and mould in winter
You can read more lifestyle stories from Daily Star here
This is why experts at Howden Insurance revealed their top tips on saving energy at home to lower household bills, while ensuring you keep your home and family warm during the colder months.
It's vital to know around 25% of your home's energy consumption is used by heating water, but it's possible to save money while you are in the shower. By reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower, it can help to lower your bills massively.
By shaving off a few minutes in the shower, you can save up to £150 each year on your bill. Another way to ensure your hot water is being used efficiently is by adding a water-efficient showerhead into your bathroom, most of which cost between £10 to £20.
The showerheads restrict the amount of water coming through the head, and when fitted properly, make sure you have no leaking areas, which could be costing you vital pennies.
Draught-proofing your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If you notice your home is losing a lot of its heat quickly and it's hard to keep warm, you can try some insulation hacks to try to combat the escaping heat.
Remember to identify the areas that are causing the escaping heat first before trying these steps:
-
Move your furniture to maximise heat – if your furniture is blocking your radiators, you are essentially throwing money away. It's important to let the heat circulate in a room properly, so have a play around with your furniture placement and make sure you aren’t blocking off the heat at the source.
-
Invest in a smart thermostat – as well as being totally cost-effective, smart thermostats are a great way to manage your home's temperature through your phone. They offer an easy way to set timers for when you are on your way home, that way, your home can be toasty when you get in, as well as having complete control over the temperature in each room.
-
Upgrade your curtains or blinds – when a home has thick curtains, it allows the heat to stay in the room and not easily escape. Remember to put your blinds down and curtains across as soon as it starts to get dark, as this will also prevent escaping heat.
If you're looking for a more substantial and long-term way of insulating your home better you can invest in both loft and roof insulation as well as floor insulation. This option is pricier, but can reduce costs in the long run.
Improper insulation is a total waste of energy, so make sure to check any gaps around windows, doors and vents for cracks which need to be sealed appropriately.
It's also wise to switch off radiators in rooms you aren’t using. This one is a must and could draw you in a massive yearly saving by whittling down the temperature valves on your radiators when you aren’t in the room.
If turning the radiator completely off is not something you want to consider, reducing the temperature by half can still make sure to keep the room at around 15°C to 20°C. For a room you don’t tend to venture into, is a comfortable temperature.
Meanwhile, British Gas estimated around 23% of a home's electrical use could be eaten up by having devices still plugged in and charging once fully charged or by keeping devices on standby. This equates to around £200 per year.
The benefits of unplugging your devices once they have a sufficient amount is you will prolong the battery life and longevity of your device, as well as save some cash.
To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters.
Source: Read Full Article