Saving energy and reducing your energy bills

There are some simple steps that could help you save energy and reduce your bills.

 

Citizens Advice also has lots of information if you are struggling to pay your bills, saving energy at home, having problems with your energy bill or supplier, and getting a better energy deal.

Get in touch if you are worried about energy costs

Boilers often have a default temperature that is sent to radiators which is set higher than needed. This reduces the efficiency of your boiler. Depending on the type of boiler you have, its efficiency can be improved by locating the ‘flow temperature’ dial/setting on the boiler and adjusting it to a lower temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. Reducing your boiler flow temperature could save you approximately £100 per year.

Reducing your boiler’s flow temperature is not the same as reducing the temperature on your thermostat and won’t reduce the temperature of your home but may increase the time it takes for your home to reach the target temperature on your thermostat. People over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions may want to set a slightly higher flow temperature before lowering it further to ensure your home warms up quickly enough.

Most radiators are fitted with valves that control the temperature of a room by changing the flow of hot water to the radiator. These valves are often misused as ‘on/off’ switches, and in rooms which aren’t used all day, such as bedrooms, or rooms which you don’t use regularly, these can often be set too high.

These valves are usually marked with a scale from 0 - 6, where zero (0) is off, and six (6) is fully open. They can be adjusted by twisting them clockwise or anti-clockwise. Aim for the lowest setting that keeps the room to your desired temperature. A lower setting reduces the volume of hot water, using less energy and saving you money - approximately £70 per year.

Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways that you can take to stop the heat escaping and reduce your energy bills by approximately £70 per year:

  • By blocking unwanted gaps around windows, doors and the floor that let the cold air in and warm air out, you’ll use less energy to heat your home. Energy Saving Trust provide advice on how to draught proof your property
  • Window film is a form of temporary secondary glazing. By installing window film on your windows, you can help stop heat escaping through the glass. You can buy window film at most hardware shops and online and install it yourself or with the help of a professional.

 

Did you know that if you sign up with the Priority Services Register with your energy suppliers (gas and electricity) you could get extra help. For example, if there is a power cut, someone can check up on you and provide hot meals. You may also want someone to check your meter regularly or move your prepayment meter.

To get this extra help, you can apply to be added to your electricity network priority services register. Find out more here: Priority Services Register

We understand you may be avoiding putting your heating on, but a cold house can affect your mental health. 

It is important for older people or those with health conditions, such as asthma, to stay warm.

Try to keep at least one room, such as your living room or bedroom, warm.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2023 to 2024 has closed. It will reopen in October 2024. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme (external web link).

Help for Households

Find out what support is available to help with the cost of living here: Help for Households - get government cost of living support

Tips to stay warm

  • Keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block out draughts. Tuck your curtains behind the radiators to help keep heat inside
  • Food helps to keep your body warm, so have regular hot food and drinks
  • Wear several layers of warm clothes to trap heat between the layers (instead of just one chunky layer)
  • Wearing a hat as well as a scarf around your neck and mouth can help protect you this winter. Breathing in cold air could increase your chance of chest infection and increase your blood pressure
  • Keep moving if you can, as this will help keep you warm. Try not to sit for more than an hour, get up and walk around, make a hot drink and spread housework throughout the day
  • If you’re sitting down, a shawl or blanket will provide a lot of warmth. Try to keep your feet propped up, as the air is cooler at ground level. Hot water bottles are also very good at keeping you warm, but please use a cover and place over a blanket on your knees
  • Make sure your radiators are not obstructed by furniture or curtains
  • Use a timer and heat your main living room to around 18 to 21ºC (64 to 70ºF) and the rest of the house to 16ºC (61ºF).

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You may also be interested in

Citizens Advice | affordable energy

External web link - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/

Energy Saving Trust

External web link - https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/