It may only be October, but with the winter weather creeping in, now is the time to start taking small steps to help reduce your energy bills.
If you’re looking for simple ways to save money, here’s our comprehensive checklist to help prepare you keep costs to a minimum and of course, save money on energy bills this winter where you didn’t know you could.
Don’t waste energy
This time of year, it is important to try and avoid using energy where possible. For example, turn off all appliances when they are not in use, even your kettle. On dry days hang your washing to dry outdoors. Instead of keeping the heating on all night put an extra blanket on your bed.
Reuse heat
Be creative during the winter months. After you cook the dinner or do some baking with the littles, leave the oven open and let the heat warm the air around the room. The same applies to the extractor fan in the bathroom. Instead, on occasion leave it off during showers and allow the humidity to warm the rooms upstairs.
Use your curtains wisely
If you live in a south-facing home, let the sun in during the day then close them as night falls to seal in any warmth. By closing your curtains, you will be sealing in any draughts around your windows, making it cosier.
Seal up any cracks
Before the winter weather hits, prioritise walking around your home and checking for any holes or gaps in your windows and doors. If you find any, head to your nearest hardware store and pick up some silicone or caulk. This will help prevent precious heat from escaping.
Clear any clutter
This might sound silly to some, but if you are blocking your radiator with a sofa, table or boxes of any kind, you will be reducing their ability to heat up your house. Also, over time dust and sometimes socks can get wedged in radiators disrupting the airflow around them, preventing it from heating up effectively. Make sure to give your radiators a good clean to save on your energy bills this winter.
Insulate your attic
Most new builds will come with a fully insulated house, but if your house is ten years or older, you may be losing 25% of your heat through your attic alone. Consider getting your loft insulated this winter to help reduce the heat lost. Most households have a payback of two years making it a great incentive to do it now.
Install a smart thermostat
Normal thermostats are great inventions which allow you to set your heating to turn on and off at a set time each day. But now that our schedules change more and we are in and out more often, our houses are heating up when we aren’t even home. A smart thermostat allows you to heat your home in real-time from your mobile phone.
Shop around
If you rely on oil for heating your home this winter, be patient and shop around for the best deal. Don’t leave it too late when prices normally soar. If you heat your home with gas, again shop around for the cheapest package.
Other things to consider
Another simple way to save money this winter is to turn down the thermostat by one degree. This can reduce your heating bill by 10%. Remember to turn off radiators in rooms that you aren’t using. Switch to energy-saving bulbs next time your bulb blows. Finally, match your saucepan size to the hob ring you are using. Otherwise, you are simply paying to heat the air and your energy bills this winter will rise.