Are you overheating your home?
As the first snow of winter hits the country, many of us will be putting the heating on after resisting temptation through October and hoping our bills won't be extortionate.
Ofgem set the price cap to £1,717 per year for a typical household (who pay by direct debit between October and December) meaning that theoretically. This was an increase of 10% and added around £12 per month to an average bill. The new price cap for Jan 2025 will be set on 22 November.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can save money on your energy bill. Follow this GHI advice to find out how...
4 things you're probably doing wrong with your heating
Cranking the thermostat up high when it's cold
Wrong! The thermostat is designed to maintain a steady temperature in your home, it doesn't control the speed at which it heats. One in three couples argue over the temperature of their thermostat, according to Corgi Homeplan.
The recommended temperature for your home is between 18°c-21°c, according to Energy Saving Trust (EST). For the very young and the elderly, this temperature may have to be increased slightly.
Putting an electric heater on to save money
Wrong! It's much more efficient to use central heating with a thermostat and a timer than it is to use an electric heater, which can be one of the most costly types of heating. According to EST, installing and correctly using a programmable room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves could save you £75 a year.
Keeping the heating on low all day
Wrong! Leaving the heating on when you're not at home wastes energy, according to the Energy Saving Trust (the only exception to the rule is if you have a heat pump). Instead, use the timer to make sure it's on at the times of day that it's needed. Make sure the clock on your timer is correct and (depending on your heating controls) remember to adjust it whenever the clocks change.
Keeping the hot water on all day to make sure it lasts
Wrong! Likewise, if nobody's using hot water, this is simply a waste that will use a lot of energy. If you use your timer to heat the water about half an hour before a shower in the morning, your tank should stay warm until midday.
5 more ways to save money on your heating bill
Use the extractor fan less
When it’s cold use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom for as short a time as possible as they draw out the warm air. Just use until the area is ventilated.
Keep warm with curtains
Keep curtains open during the day. The sun’s rays will still heat the room, even in the colder months. In winter, always close them at night, ideally just before the temperature drops and the heating comes on so heat doesn't escape through gaps in the windows.
Heat the body not the entire house
The GHI experts have looked at everything from electric blankets to heated slippers to find the best budget-friendly winter warmers – from hot water bottles, heating pads and electric blankets to heated clothing to help you stay warm without dialling up the heat in your home. Read how to keep warm without turning the heating on.
Position your furniture
Try to avoid placing sofas in front of radiators as they will absorb the heat rather than let it circulate throughout the room. If this isn't possible, at least pull the sofa away from the wall.
Banish draughts
While some ventilation is necessary, and there's nothing wrong with a few natural draughts, you don't want to let warm air escape your home. "To draught-proof your home, block up unwanted gaps that let cold air in and warm air out," says EST's Laura McGadie. "Saving warm air means you’ll use less energy to heat your home, so you'll save money as well as help the environment."
Use a draught excluder inside the chimney to keep out the draughts when the fireplace isn't in use. Chimney Sheep is a good option, as its draught excluders work to block 94% of airflow.
Thinking of switching energy supplier?
It's not always just about price – sometimes poor customer service is enough to send us racing to the comparison sites eager to switch. You can compare energy suppliers' customer services on the Citizens Advice website. New Ofgem rules came in on 14 December 2023 designed to make it easier for householders to contact their energy supplier and help support those who may be struggling with their bills this winter.
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