Government is saving households £1,300 on their energy bills this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bill Support Scheme.

There are lots of things you can do at home, from easy no cost actions to bigger investments, that could save you hundreds more.

It all adds up.

Turning your combi boiler flow temperature down to 60°C could save you up to £100 a year

Flow temperature is the temperature of the water that your boiler sends to radiators. Reducing flow temperature isn’t the same as lowering your thermostat and won’t noticeably reduce the temperature of your home but may increase the time it takes to reach the target temperature on your thermostat.

If you are over 65, or have pre-existing health conditions, you may want to set a slightly higher flow temperature of 65°C to ensure your home warms more quickly.

Nesta have more information on lowering your combi boiler flow temperature setting – take their Money Saving Boiler Challenge.

Turning down radiators in rooms you aren’t using or use less could save you up to £70 a year

When you’re not using rooms, turn radiator valves down to between 2.5 and 3 (roughly 18°C). While you are using a room, increase the temperature to a comfortable level by turning the valve up. Turning off radiators completely in rooms you are not using is less energy efficient as this means your boiler has to work harder to increase the temperature again than if kept at a low setting.

People over 65, children under 5 and those with pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable to cold temperatures. Make sure you are warm enough and have a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C to ensure you protect your health while maintaining comfort.

Turning appliances off at the socket could save you up to £70 a year

Almost all electrical appliances in your home, such as computers, televisions, smart devices and video game consoles, draw power continuously unless unplugged. Turn off the power switch at the socket or unplug appliances from the socket when they are not in use.

Washing clothes at a lower temperature could save you up to £40 a year

Modern washing machines can clean clothes effectively at lower temperatures. Changing from 40°C to 30°C means you could get 3 cycles instead of 2 using the same amount of energy, depending on your washing machine.

Using your tumble dryer less could save you £70 a year

Tumble dryers are one of the most energy-intensive devices in the home.

Use your tumble dryer less frequently by ensuring you have a full load, around three-quarters of the drum. Or use a clothes airer to dry clothes outside, or inside with a window open for ventilation. You should also avoid overfilling your dryer as this could lengthen the drying time.

Closing all your curtains and blinds at night

By closing your curtains and blinds, you can help stop warm air escaping through windows and reduce heating costs, especially if you have radiators situated below your windows.

Track your energy usage using an app

If you have a smart meter, there are apps which are free and allow you to track your hourly energy use over days, weeks, months or years.

This can help you find the best ways to reduce usage and save on your energy bills in a safe and manageable way.

(GOV.UK)
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