Rising energy bills?

Household energy bills are on the rise and householders are now having to look at different ways to reduce those gas and electric bills. Fortunately, there are several changes that you can make within the home this autumn and winter time to bring those costs down. Below we share some tips on how to save money on those household energy bills:

Turn down that thermostat

When we are trying to save money on our household bills, the first thing we need to look at is our central heating, as this is where we can make significant changes and savings. Look carefully at the set temperature on your thermostat. Could it be reduced by a couple of degrees? Reducing your household temperature by only 1°C can save you as much as 10% in heating bills. Additionally, think about those rooms that you do heat, but which you only use occasionally. Install radiator thermostats that allow you to control the temperature in each room, helping you to save even more money.

Draught proof your home

Adjusting the thermostat settings is one way to reduce heating bills, but another is ensuring that heat stays in each room by draught-proofing your home. Windows, doors and floorboards are all fairly easy to draught-proof. Add a rug or well-fitting carpet, buy window edge sealers to plug those draughts and ensure that doors are fitted properly. One of the most important things you can do is to insulate your loft. Heat rises and will escape through the roof, so a well-insulated loft will trap heat and keep your home warmer.

Conserve that energy

There are so many changes you can make in the home to lower that electric bill. Start with your home's lighting and replace your usual light bulbs with LEDs. You also need to remember to turn those lights off when you leave a room. Turn off your laptop, TV, stereo etc., when you are not using them. Dry your clothes outside if you can and wash clothes at a cooler temperature. Have a shower instead of a bath and time showers, taking no longer than five minutes. A good tip is to go through a typical day at home, writing down all of the electrical devices and appliances that you use in your home. Then, you can think about how you use them and how you can lower their energy consumption.

Get your boiler checked

An energy efficient boiler that is regularly serviced will not only heat your home effectively and be safe, but it will also save you money. In fact, you could save as much as £200 per year. If your boiler is old but working well, then it's probably not worth replacing it, as a new boiler can cost anywhere between £2,500 and £4,000, depending where you live and your size of property. However, if your boiler is old and is not heating your home adequately, then you will benefit from an updated central heating system.

Keep warm, save energy and keep well this autumn and winter time.