Put some energy into saving on your fuel bills this winter. Vicky Shaw reveals some simple money-saving marvels
The clocks have gone back and the days are getting colder, so if you’re worried about a chill on your finances this winter, now’s the time to do something about it.
Firstly, you’re likely to be reaching to turn on the heating as temperatures fall, but when was the last time you switched energy deals?
Even if the last time you switched was only last winter, now might be a good time to switch again, as many people are only on a one-year fix.
A recent survey conducted to mark Big Energy Saving Week suggested millions of households are paying more for their energy than they need to, because they mistakenly believe they’re on the cheapest tariff.
Even if you have switched recently, it may be worth checking whether your old energy supplier still owes you some cash if you were in credit when you switched.
Consumer help website MoneySavingExpert.com has a reclaiming guide on its website that can help with this.
If you can stand to be a bit chillier, it may also be worth bearing in mind that lowering your thermostat by just 1C can potentially add up to savings of £80 to £85 per year.
You can also save by preparing your home for the winter months.
More than three quarters of people (77%) having experienced a seasonal problem in their home previously, according to research from E.ON Energy.
The typical bill for emergency call-outs comes to £114.
Yet many of us seem to push previous memories of burst pipes and faulty heating aside - as more than half (58%) of us don’t prepare for winter.
Some people may be entitled to free help with saving energy, thanks to the many schemes available.
CRAIG’S TOP TIPS
E.ON Energy has teamed up with DIY expert and former Big Brother winner Craig Phillips to offer tips on how to save money by saving energy during the darker months:
Loft insulation is one of the most effective ways to help contain heat and reduce energy costs. DIY loft insulation can cost between £50 and £350 depending on the amount of work required, but people on certain income related-benefits may qualify for free installation.
A home can lose about a third of its heat through uninsulated walls. An estimated £290 a year could be saved with wall insulation.
Insulating hot water pipes with foam insulation sleeves can save energy by cutting the need to reheat water and preventing pipes from freezing. Fitting a cylinder jacket on the water tank can reduce heat loss and cut a household’s gas bill by around 5%.
By filling gaps around windows, doors, pipes, loft hatches, and even keyholes and letterboxes, with draught-proofing supplies from local DIY stores, you’ll prevent warm air escaping. It’s a good idea to also ensure all doors and windows are closing properly and have the correct draft excluding strips fitted.
The potential saving from sealing floorboard gaps is estimated at up to £20 per year. Insulating under floorboards could save a household an estimated £80 per year.
If radiators feel cold at the top and hot at the bottom, this could be a sign that your radiators need bleeding to let trapped air escape.
