Here's our top tips on how to cut your gas and electric usage during the living crisis
Rising energy costs mean many UK households are already paying far more for gas and electricity than they were last winter.
And while the government’s recent Energy Price Guarantee has reduced the unit cost of gas and electricity so the typical household will pay, on average, around £2,500 a year for energy, this is only in place until April 2023.
The good news is there plenty of simple things you can do to cut your bill – and stay warm – as the cold weather creeps in.
Here are our top tips:
1. Reduce the flow temperature on your boiler
This might sound complicated but it’s not. The heating flow temperature of your boiler is the temperature of the water when it travels from your boiler to your radiators. While on many boilers this is set at 75-80o C, smaller or well-insulated homes could be kept warm with it set at 50-70o or lower. Setting it at 50o C could save you 6-8% on your gas bill.
To find out whether adjusting the flow temperature of your boiler will work for you, and how to do it, check out this article from consumer advice provider Which.
2. Turn down the thermostat – and your radiators
Depending on the size of your home and how often you have the heating on, you could save up to £80 a year by turning your thermostat down by just one degree.
If your radiators have temperature valves, try turning them down too – or turn them off completely in rooms you don’t use.
3. Heat the human, not the home
You don’t always need to heat your whole house or flat to be warm and comfortable this winter if you focus on heating your body instead.
Dress warmly, in layers – including a thermal vest or leggings if you have them – and as your floor is likely to be the coldest part of your house, always wear socks and / or slippers.
If you’re sitting down for long periods while working from home or watching TV, cover your lower body with a blanket, an electric throw, or a sleeping bag with a hot water bottle in the bottom of it.
And take the chill off your sheets at night by popping a hot water bottle in your bed for half an hour before bedtime.
You can find more ideas like this on MoneySavingExpert.com’s full guide to heating the human, not the home.
4. Use your electrical appliances efficiently
Turn off appliances at the plug rather than leaving them on standby. Use a mug to fill your kettle to avoid boiling water you won’t use.
Cook using the microwave, air fryer or slow cooker whenever you can – and if you must use the oven, make the most of it by batch-cooking meals for the freezer or cooking more than you need and reheating leftovers in the microwave another day.
Only run your dishwasher or washing machine with a full load – and don’t automatically throw clothes in the washing machine after just a couple of wears. Jeans brand Levi say you should wash your jeans every 10 wears at most, spot cleaning any marks in between with a damp cloth.
5. Embrace shorter showers
Cutting the length of your shower from the UK average of eight minutes to just four will save energy as well as water. Keep track of time – and make your shower more enjoyable – with a playlist of four-minute songs like this one from Spotify that’s full of classics for every mood.
For more ways to reduce your gas and electricity usage and save money on your bills check out the Energy Saving Trust’s website.
