Energy prices are set to remain sky high this winter – but with a few simple adjustments to your every day life could take a big chunk off your bill, and save you hundreds
A mild winter – so far at least – means many people have yet to feel the full force of another year of sky high energy prices.
That’s not to say households have avoided the impact, with millions scared of turning on the heating when temperatures did dip, or having fewer baths and showers, cooking less, or whatever else to try to limit how much gas and electricity they use.
It didn’t help that regulator Ofgem’s price cap rose to £1,717 a year for a typical household at the statrt of October. The next time it changes, at the start of January, it is not expected to come down much, if at all.
But while it might feels like you’re powerless, there are still a lot of fairly simple ways to reduce your winter energy bill.
The Energy Saving Trust has a host of tips on its website, with savings from £7 a year to £80.
Take something as simple as turning appliances such as TVs off standby, so that red light on the front disappears
You can save around £45 annually just by going round the house and by doing so. Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. That said, some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.
On the subject of appliances, the Energy Saving Trusts says washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill, making them the most energy thirsty. It probably doesn’t make economic sense to ditch your existing machine but, when you need a replacement, check the energy rating. For example, an A-rated 12-place dishwasher costs £35 a year to run. That’s half as much as a G-rated equivalent appliance.
Ever walked past a door and felt that breeze of cold air rushing in? Think of it as money disappearing through the gap.
The Energy Savings Trust says, unless your home is new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney.
Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can save around £80 on annual energy bills. Getting an expert in can cost a fair bit, meaning it could take longer to recoup the money. But there are DIY draught proofing that are much cheaper, with online tutorial available to help.
It is cliche that parents go around turning lights off after their kids. But the truth it, the money from doing so adds up. Turning your lights off when you are not using them or when you leave a room can save around £7 a year. The savings are even more if you invest in energy efficient bulbs.
Being clever with your washing machine use can save money. Despite all the different options, most people stick to using the same cycles on their machine.
The Energy Saving Trust says using your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures can save an average £24 a year. Also consider reducing your washing machine use by one run per week for a year.
When you’re done all that washing, you need to dry it. If it’s chilly outside, or you don’t have an outside space, then you need to think of something else. Using a tumble dryer could be one option, but they are costly to run.
Drying clothes on racks inside can save you about £50 a year. Another option is to invest in a heated clothes airer. They generally cost anything from a few pence to more than 30p an hour worth of electricity to run.
As any parent of a teenager will know, showers can be a point of conflict, or at least trying to get them to limit the time it’s on. Limiting your shower time to just four minutes could save a typical household £60 a year.
Some people might enjoy a long soak in the bath. But swapping just one bath a week with a four-minute shower could save you £9 a year on your energy bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Another simple tip is where your furniture is. Experts say moving sofas and furniture away from radiators could save Britons 10% on their energy bills. That is because a sofa or armchair in front of a radiator stops the warmth emanating from the radiator from circulating around the room.
