During the winter, our heating bills can sky-rocket. It doesn’t help that most of the energy companies have raised their energy rates over recent months. Here are a few tips which could help you keep the fuel bills under control this winter, while you stay warm.
Draft proofing – This is essential in order to preserve the heat in your home. Check your doors and windows. Can you feel a draft coming in? If you can, then make plans to urgently have them properly draft proofed. There may be some help available for this so it’s a good idea to check with your local council. For tenants of local authority housing or housing association tenants, contact your nearest housing office and ask for advice. As a tenant, you have the right to report drafts in your windows and doors. For private home owners, it is still worth checking online. At times, and for certain geographic areas, there are grants available offering loft insulation and draft proofing either for free or at a discounted rate.
Curtains and blinds - During the winter months, using blinds and curtains for longer in the day will help to keep the heat in. As soon as the daylight starts to fade, which in the middle of winter can be as early as 4pm, shut your blinds or curtains and let the heat build-up in your home.
Set your thermostat just one degree lower - This may seem like an insignificant amount but it will make a marked difference on your energy consumption. And lowering the temperature by one degree will not result in a noticeable difference in temperature inside the house.
Stay cosy - Buy some lovely, comfortable throws and blankets to snuggle up with when you are watching television or relaxing. When we are at rest, we can often feel colder because we are not moving around. Having an extra layer to wrap around you will keep you cosy without the need to turn the heating up.
Put your heating on a timer - You don’t need to have the water heating on all day to have hot water all day. Put it on a timer so that your water is hot in the mornings and then heat it again for a few hours around 5pm. This will ensure you have hot water throughout the day. Likewise, if you have your central heating on a timer, you will save on the amount of energy you use.
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