How to keep your energy bills down this winter

Why are my bills so high in the winter?

Sliding temperatures mean keeping warm and dry is a priority, so many of us are reaching for the thermostats.

Don’t forget about the electric bill! The long, nights mean we’ve got our lights on for hours longer than the rest of the year, heaters are being turned on, and we’re more likely to stay in for the evening, often watching TV.

We tend to wear a lot of layers in the winter, and those bulky jumpers take up more space in the washing machine. We’re doing more laundry cycles as a result.

Here are a few ideas that might help shave some money off your winter energy bill:

Cover up:

Bundle up in warm clothing and blankets and use electric blankets or fireplaces to give your central heating a break. While it may sound obvious, an extra layer can help fight off the cold. Walking around in slippers can make things nice and snug for your feet too and stop any coldness that comes up through the floorboards (even if you have carpet fitted).

Turn it down (or even off):

While you’re away from home or sleeping, bring your thermostat down. It’s the easiest and most effective solution.

Insulate, insulate, insulate:

It’s vital to ensure that your loft or attic space is properly insulated to prevent heat loss. Check for drafty doors and winters and waterproof them as necessary to help seal the warm air inside. Insulate your pipes too, to help prevent water wastage.

Don’t leave anything plugged in or running that isn’t being used:

A lot of wasted electricity occurs this way. There is no need to leave the microwave, kettle, TV, phone charger, or pretty much any other electrical item turned on when it’s not in use. Switch the power off at the plug. Also, when you leave the room, don’t leave the lights on unless you’re coming back.

Bleed your radiators:

From time to time radiators get air trapped inside them which doesn’t make them work as efficiently as they could. The hot water doesn’t circulate properly, giving cold spots, meaning your room won’t get heated properly. To help rectify the problem, you can bleed your radiators yourself and have your whole heating system back up to scratch in no time.

Be water conscious:

When you’re boiling food in a pan, make sure you only use the amount of water needed to cover the amount of food you’re cooking, because boiling water you don’t need can waste a lot of energy.

Shrink your bills, not your clothes:

90% of a washing machine’s energy expenditure is spent heating the water, so if you wash your clothes at 30-40°C you’re saving a significant amount of money.

Install a smart meter:

If your supplier offers smart meters to customers like you, it’s a no-brainer to install one. By clearly indicating where you’re spending the most on your energy, you can take steps to cut down usage wherever possible and save money.