How to keep warm and save money this winter
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When the cold weather sets in, most of us need to use more energy for heating, lighting and hot water.
This tends to means higher bills in the winter months compared to summer, but there are ways to keep costs under control without compromising on comfort.
Here are our tips for staying warm and saving money this winter.
Make your heating work smarter
Heating is usually the single biggest contributor to winter energy bills, so getting it under control is the best place to start.
It’s not about turning it off and shivering under a blanket – instead, the key is to use your heating more efficiently so you get the same warmth for less money. Small changes, like adjusting your thermostat or making sure radiators work at their best, can have a surprisingly large impact.
Set your thermostat – different people are comfortable at different temperatures, but between 18–21°C is recommended.
Time your heating – set it to switch off an hour before bed or before you leave the house. Your home will stay warm but you’ll save hours of energy each week.
Target the rooms you use – close doors and only heat the spaces that matter. If you have radiator controls, adjust each room individually.
Bleed your radiators – trapped air stops them heating properly. Check if the top feels cooler than the bottom. If so, it’s time to bleed them.
Get smart – if you’ve got smart heating controls, use them. They can adjust the heating to match your needs and save you money.
Keep the heat indoors
Depending on how your home is built, it can be a challenge to hold onto heat. The UK has a lot of older buildings and poor insulation, draughts and gaps around doors or windows can let warmth leak out.
The good news is that some of the most effective fixes are low-cost and quick to do.
Insulate and stop draughts – if you have a loft, make sure it’s well insulated and seal any draughty gaps in your home
Curtains and blinds – close them before dark to reduce heat loss by up to 15%. Open them during the day to make the most of the sun’s warmth.
Radiators – fix reflective foil behind radiators on external walls to reflect heat into the room.
Layer up – dress for winter, even when you’re inside, but make sure you’re comfortable.
Everyday savings
Household tasks are another area where small changes can add up to noticeable savings. Washing clothes, drying laundry and cooking meals all use energy – often more than we realise.
Wash clothes at 30 or even 20°C – modern detergents work just as well at lower temperatures, cutting wash costs by over a third. Save the hot washes for when they’re needed.
Wait for a full load – running your washing machine less often saves both water and power.
Ditch the tumble dryer – air dry on racks indoors or outside when possible. Tumble dryers can cost over £1.50 per cycle.
Batch cook meals – cook larger portions once and reheat later in the microwave, which uses up to 80% less energy than an oven.
Shower instead of taking baths – showers generally use less hot water but keep them short.
Boil what you need – kettles are one of our most used appliances in the UK. Avoid overfilling to save money and boil quicker.
Get a smart meter – track your energy usage in real time and spot the appliances that are costing you most money.
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