Is it too early to turn on the heating? As winter approaches and temperatures begin to drop, millions of people ask this question.
But an increase in energy price caps from October 1 and the loss of winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners means more people than ever before will struggle to heat their homes this winter. .
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The new price cap is set at £1,717 a year for the typical household who uses electricity and gas and pays by direct debit.
This is an increase of £149 from the cap that was in place from July to October.
To make matters worse, the Government has confirmed that the winter fuel payment (worth between £200 and £300 depending on age) will no longer be universal.
Pensioners will still be able to receive their pension credit if they receive it, but Age UK says 2.5 million over-66s who desperately need money to stay warm this winter will not receive it and are in serious trouble. he warned.
Against this background, many people are desperately looking for ways to delay turning on the heating or to minimize heating usage.
Aydin Sigba, energy saving and insulation expert at Cavitech.uk, says there are a number of gadgets that can help people cut down on their energy bills.
However, he warns that the first thing households need to do is make sure they have proper insulation in place.
This is important, he warns, because your home is like a sieve with lots of places for precious heat to escape.
Lofts, walls, floors, door and window frames, and even keyholes allow the heat you’ve paid for to radiate out onto the street.
he says: “Cavity and loft insulation can each save you hundreds of pounds a year. Loft insulation is usually cheaper and should be done first.”
“If you’re a tenant, you’ll have to ask your landlord to do it or get permission to do it yourself, but it’s only worth it if you’re staying long-term because it takes several years to get your money back,” he says. ”
This is backed up by the Energy Savings Trust, which estimates that using cavity wall insulation can save you around £155 a year on your electricity bill, compared to around £210 a year with solid wall insulation. Masu.
Insulating your loft can save the average household up to £135 a year, and insulating your floors can also save you up to £40 a year.
However, these things don’t come cheap. For example, insulating a loft costs an average of £950, while installing cavity walls can cost a whopping £1,700.
Of course, your bills will be cheaper and it will pay for itself in the long run. Good insulation also protects you from cold drafts that can leave you reaching for the thermostat control.
Gadgets that save money
Sigba also has a list of simple quick fixes Brits can do themselves to save a few pounds.
“Put a brush or flap over your mailbox, create drafts around doors and windows that tend to leak, and cover unused keyholes with tissue or tape.”
However, he also recommends nifty gadgets that can reduce your bills by 5% to 15% for around £89, according to the Energy Savings Trust.
he says: “Think of an energy usage monitor, a clever gadget that attaches to your meter and shows you exactly what you’re using on screen at any given time.
“Find out which devices use more power and which ones use less. Try turning off items on “standby” and turning off lights and gaming consoles when not in use. Remind the children.
“There are no magic answers, but a few simple steps can save you a lot of wasted money.”
You can buy the monitor for just £12 at B&Q.
What kind of utility bill help is available?
There are many ways to get help paying your utility bills if you are struggling to make ends meet.
If you find yourself in debt, you can always contact your supplier to see if you can work out a repayment plan before using a prepaid meter.
This means that the debt is repaid in installments over a set period of time.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan that you don’t think you can afford, talk to them again to see if you can negotiate better terms.
Some energy companies have subsidy schemes in place for customers who are struggling to cover their bills.
However, eligibility criteria vary by supplier and the amount you can earn depends on your financial situation.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills could receive a grant worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also provides support through the British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for a second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power are all also offering grants to customers facing hardship.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on additional support and protection because they are not enrolled in the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as the elderly and sick, and includes benefits such as advance warning of power outages, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re in trouble.
Please contact your energy company to find out if you can apply.
These devices work by measuring the amount of energy being used by individual devices throughout your home.
It is placed between the socket and plug of the device to be measured.
The plug’s screen shows how much power that item is using, and since it runs on battery power, usage won’t be added to your bill.
Although each plug is different, it measures the energy usage of each individual appliance you connect.
In some cases, you can enter the price you pay for energy and the gadget will calculate the cost for you.
The cost per unit you pay depends on your rate plan, but you can usually find this information on your most recent energy bill or online account.
For selected appliances, you can use the plug to see how much it costs to run in use or on standby.
These are different from smart meters, which also help you track energy costs throughout your home.
With either device, you can get a better idea of what energy is being used around your home and reduce energy where you can save money.
More ways to reduce your energy bills
Sigba also recommends installing thermostatic radiator valves in your home.
These are relatively inexpensive, but may require a plumber to install.
You can set the valve so that the radiator only comes on when the temperature drops to the level you choose, so you don’t have to waste money heating an already warm home.
If you charge very low prices for rooms you don’t use often, such as spare bedrooms, your bill will go down.
These handy gadgets are available from Screwfix for just £9.99 each.
Another tip is a tube of mastic. It can be used to fill gaps around windows where masonry separates from wood or plastic frames.
“When it’s hot or cold, your house moves a little, so gaps can open up and allow cold air to come in and warm air to come in,” says Sigva.
A tube of mastic costs just £6.69 from DIY.com.
He even says that placing regular silver foil behind the radiator can reflect a little more heat back into the room.
This radiator foil is just £7.51 per roll from Screwfix.
Heat-powered fans can be placed over wood burners and certain types of gas fires to radiate heat into key areas of the room.
Also known as stove fans, these can be purchased from places like B&Q for just £15.
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