Steps to help you manage your energy bills and keep your home warm and safe.
Make Your Home Warmer
- Clear furniture from in front of your radiators so heat can circulate more easily
- Close curtains and doors during cold weather to keep the heat in
- Reduce draughts around windows, doors, cat / dog flaps, loft doors with shop bought, or home-made draught excluders
- Avoid drying clothes directly on the radiator which can make them work harder to provide the same level of heating, use a clothes airer instead
- Bleed radiators, this removes air pockets to make them run more efficiently
- Have your boiler serviced every year to keep it in tip-top condition.
Saving Money on Your Energy Bills
- Install a smart meter (free from your energy supplier). It will send meter readings to your supplier so your bills are accurate, and the in-home display will show you exactly how much energy you’re using
- If you don’t have a smart meter, provide regular meter readings to your supplier to avoid estimated bills that can be inaccurate
- Switch off or unplug any appliances when not in use if they have a stand-by tight, a display or are hot to the touch they’ll be using energy just by being plugged in
- Wash full loads of laundry when possible; try 30 degree washes instead of 40 degree
- The average UK household puts the kettle on 1,500 times a year – only fill it with the amount of water you need
- Keeping appliances clean and well maintained helps them be efficient empty vacuum cleaners, de-scale kettles, washing machines and dishwashers. Empty lint drawers on tumble dryers, defrost freezers regularly and repair seats on fridges and freezers if they break
- Turn your thermostats down by 1 degree, or more most people find between 18°C and 21°C comfortable
- Use the timer for your heating so you’re only heating your home when you need to
