2. Practical advice to save on your energy bills
- Get a smart meter to monitor your energy use and keep a track on appliances that are running your bills up.
- Turn your temperature down on your thermostat. It sounds obvious, but it’s estimated that turning it down by even one degree could save you up to 10% on your bill.
- If you have a condensing boiler (installed after 2005), you can adjust your flow temperature and save money. This is the dial with the radiator icon on the front of your boiler. Dial it down to 60°C or less if you have a newer property and your boiler will work more efficiently (condensing mode).
- Bleed your radiators. If the top is cold, it’s not heating fully. You need a radiator key but once bled, your boiler won’t have to work as hard to keep your room warm.
- Turn radiators off in rooms you’re not using and close the doors. This will help insulate your home.
- Keep your internal doors shut and curtains closed – especially in rooms you’re not using.
- If you’ve got laminate, wood or tiled floors, try and use a rug if you have one. Up to 10% of heat can be lost through your floors.
- Not leaving appliances on standby could save up to £147 a year. These are things such as your TV, microwave or phone chargers which are all costing you money if you leave them plugged in.
- Use LED bulbs. They use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer, than regular bulbs.
- If you’re making a brew, only boil enough for the cups you’re making. Your kettle won’t need to work as hard so it’s cheaper to run.