Help reduce bills this winter with energy saving tips

The price of National Grid energy is rising and the average annual household bills are now stretching to £1,420. But how can you make changes around the home to minimise your own fuel bills?

Take a look at the following tips to improving energy efficiency in your home:

  • Boiler jackets

Do you have a hot water cylinder in the loft or airing cupboard? If it’s uninsulated then it’s losing plenty of heat, so you can save money be investing in a tank jacket. Also consider insulating any exposed pipework around both the cylinder and the boiler.

You can purchase insulation for around £25 and this would save as much as £60 on your energy bills each year.

  • The thermostat

Most properties will have a thermostat to control the temperature of heat their boiler is producing. If you don’t have one it’ll cost around £70 for an installation but you’ll then be able to control your heat more efficiently and lower bills.

Utilising the thermostat correctly can save you a wealth of money too, and just turning the temperature down a single degree can save you £65 a year.

  • Draughts

Always be on the lookout for draughts around the home because you’ll be losing heat wherever they’re present. They’re particularly common by doors, windows, skirting boards and the chimney, so look for gaps.

Draughts can be countered with draught-proofing products. You can purchase draught excluders for the chimney and doors whilst a silicone sealant is great for skirting boards.

You can purchase most of these for a combined price of £160, with payback as little as two years for the money you’ll save on bills.

  • The loft

Heat naturally rises, so if you have an uninsulated loft you’ll be losing plenty of heat through your roof. You can top-up insulation too so it reaches the recommended depth of 270mm. If you don’t currently have lagging in the loft you can save around £180 annually by installing it. Topping up your existing insulation to 270mm will save around £25 each year.

  • Appliances

Thousands of homeowners around the UK leave their appliances on needlessly, wasting between £50 and £90 every single year. This could be the lights, TVs and even chargers.

There’s a simple fix here, and it’s just a case of turning appliances off at the main switch. One exception to this would be digital TV recorders such as your Sky box because programmes won’t record if it’s turned off.

  • The kitchen

By being vigilant in the kitchen you can save a further £40 each year on energy bills. First off you can turn the temperature on your washing machine down to 30C. Also, consider only using the tumble dryer when the weather won’t permit drying clothes outside.

The kettle is another area where you can save money. Don’t overfill and only boil the amount of water you need at any one time. According to research, three quarters of the UK overfill their kettles, wasting a combined £68m a year.
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  • Shower head

By investing in an eco shower head, a family of four can save as much as £75 each year. They work by reducing the amount of water used without you even feeling a difference in the quality of the shower. Eco shower heads are best used if your hot water is taken straight from the boiler.

Tom

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