How to cut heating costs? Snow and ice see energy bills rise

Following an expensive Christmas period, many will be keeping a closer eye on their energy use to keep bills manageable.

But, small changes to how you pay, use, and manage energy at home can make a real difference to how warm your home feels while helping you save energy and reduce your energy bills.

Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, explains: “Energy costs can be a significant part of household expenses for most homes across Great Britain. With the cold spell continuing, many bill payers are understandably concerned about staying in control of how much energy they use, and how much they spend on it.

The good news is that there are several practical steps that can help reduce costs, from simple account checks to small changes around the home. Even minor adjustments can add up to significant savings over the course of the winter.” 

Some of the low-cost ways that could help reduce the cost of your energy bills include: 

1. Consider getting a smart meter – widely available from suppliers free at the point of installation, smart meters can help track energy use in near real-time and ensure accurate bills. They can also provide access to a whole new range of flexible tariffs and periods of free or discounted electricity supply.
2. Paying by Direct Debit, if you can, is often cheaper than being billed monthly or quarterly and can save around £135 a year.
3. Check what tariff you are on – ask your supplier if you’re on the best deal, as switching is quick and easy and could make a big difference. Many fixed deals are currently below the energy price cap, which you may be moved to if your fixed deal has ended. You may even be able to benefit from a special tariff that rewards you for moving your electricity use to different times of day. 
4. Turning down your boiler flow temperature – if you have a combi-boiler, setting the flow temperature to 60°C helps your boiler run more efficiently. For many households this can save around £65 a year without noticeably changing the temperature in your home. You can find how to save money by turning down your boiler flow temperature here.
5. Draught-proofing your home by sealing gaps around doors, windows, and floors to keep heat in.
6. Turning down radiators in rooms that aren’t being used – modern condensing radiators work more efficiently on lower flow temperatures. Turning them down rather than off means less energy is used to keep your home at a desired setting while also staving off condensation and damp.     

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1. Using your electrical appliances efficiently – this could mean only boiling as much water as you need in the kettle or unplugging devices like TVs and kitchen gadgets when you’re not using them, rather than leaving them on standby which can add to energy costs throughout the year.
2. Contact your energy supplier – they can provide additional support, confirm your details and find out if you are eligible for grants or breaks from payment, or other means of help on the Priority Services Register.

Dhara adds: “The winter months will be challenging for many, but households don’t have to manage it alone. More than 95% of customers are with suppliers who have signed up to the Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment. Through this scheme, suppliers support customers in a variety of ways. If you’re in any doubt at all, always speak to your energy supplier for extra guidance on what support might be available.”