The average cost of monthly electric bills in the UK is £73.41 – or around £880 annually
You could save big money on your energy bills(Image: Richard Newstead via Getty Images)
Experts have said there are simple changes you can make to help save money on energy bills. The average cost of monthly electric bills in the UK is £73.41, reports Confused.com, totalling around £880 annually.
Talking about heating controls, Energy Saving Trust (EST) reveal the exact temperature that could do just that. It notes that having a consistent temperature not only helps to keep your home warm without overheating your rooms, but it also prevents wasting energy.
In its blog, it explains: “A room thermostat keeps your home at a steady temperature. It turns the heating on until it reaches your chosen temperature, then switches it off until the room cools slightly.”
How to save £90 on your energy bills
To start saving money, the experts suggest setting your thermostat to the “lowest comfortable temperature”. They note that for many, this is between 18C and 21C.
You should start by setting it to 18C and see if that is comfortable. The experts note that doing this could save you a pretty penny, adding: “If you turn your thermostat down by just one degree, from 22C to 21C, you could save £90 in GB and £80 in NI.”
It further advises: “You don’t need to turn your thermostat up when it is colder outside. The house will heat up to the set temperature regardless. It may take a little longer on colder days, so you might want to set your heating to come on earlier in the winter.”
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Radiator covers
Radiator covers are popular because they can turn a not-so-pretty part of the house into a practical feature that looks the part. But, EST warn: “We don’t recommend using radiator covers.
“They prevent the TRV (thermostatic radiator valves) from getting an accurate temperature reading. Warm air can get trapped under the cover, and the TRV senses that the room is warmer than it actually is.”
The function of TRVs is to control the flow of hot water to individual radiators to regulate room temperature. You use the dial (usually 0-6) to set your preference.
Turning it clockwise usually decreases heat, while turning the dial anticlockwise increases heat. It works in a simple way – the valve senses the air temperature and automatically throttles the water flow when the room is warm and opens it when the room cools. With this in mind, the experts urge people to set each room individually and keep unused rooms on lower settings to reduce energy bills.