Energy Savers Week is back, giving us a great reminder of some of the ways we can cut our energy usage and save money by making some simple tweaks here and there.
Run by the Energy Saving Trust and Citizens Advice, Energy Savers Week aims to help you stay warm while also spending less this winter.
We know that changes to winter fuel payments and a 1.2% increase in the energy price cap, between now and March, means energy savings are even more crucial at the moment – so we’ve pulled together some top tips to help you save money this winter.
Looking to reduce your energy bills?
Regardless of the type of property you live in, there are many more things you can do. With that in mind, here are some more handy tips you can go away and implement right away:
Tip #1: Stop using standby
According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save up to £45 a year, simply by switching your appliances, such as TVs, laptops and games consoles, off at the plug socket rather than hitting the standby button.
Tip #2: Use draught excluders
While this may be a simple tip, it’s an incredibly effective one. Draught excluders, in all forms, are essential for helping heat from escaping through any gaps you may have around your windows and doors.
Tip #3: Shut out the cold *brrr*
As well as using draught excluders, hanging a set of lined curtains over your windows and doors and shutting them at night works wonders for keeping draughts out and the warmth in. It also adds a cosier touch to your home too! Bonus tip: Invest in curtains with a thermal lining for maximum impact.
Tip #4: Wash your clothes at 30°C
Setting your washing machine at 30°C every time you wash your laundry can reduce your annual energy usage by 40% (Energy Saving Trust). Making sure you only put a wash on when your machine is full can make a big difference too. Bonus tip: If you can, dry your washing on a clothes horse in front of your radiators rather than using a tumble dryer.
Tip #5: Get in touch with us
If you have any queries, need any guidance or are struggling to pay your energy bills, don’t forget our dedicated Money Advice Team is always on hand to help. Just like Citizens Advice, they provide people with free, confidential advice and will work with you to find the best way forward based on your individual situation.
Daily practical tips
As part of Energy Savers Week, the Energy Saving Trust have shared a series of daily practical tips, all aimed at helping you to heat your homes for less and also reduce your environmental footprint.
They include: bleeding your radiators, setting your heating at the lowest comfortable temperature and getting your boiler serviced. (Check out the full list of tips here: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/campaign/energysaversweek/)
In the meantime, for more energy-saving (heating, electrical appliance, cooking, washing and lifestyle change) tips, take a look at our fact sheet.
