With winter creeping in, temperatures are starting to drop and the big switch on is fast approaching. From hugging hot-water bottles to consuming countless cups of tea – we Brits will do everything in our power to avoid sky-high energy bills while trying to keep warm . Luckily, there are plenty of ways to safeguard your home against the winter winds while keeping your energy bills cheap and cheerful. With this in mind and with the help of energy saving experts Zenith Home, here are 10 IDEAL ways to save money on your energy bills this winter.
DRINK HOT DRINKS – BUT DON’T OVERFILL
Being British, we love nothing more than a warm cup of tea, but we have a terrible tendency to overfill the kettle each time we make a fresh brew. The more water you boil, the more energy you will use, so be sure to only fill the kettle for the amount of cups you need.
LOVE YOUR LAYERS
While out and about, we are always quick to add on an extra layer – but what about layering up the home? External wall insulation (EWI) is a great way to increase the efficiency of your home as well as giving it a new look. EWI will dramatically reduce the amount of heat that escapes through solid walls, making your property 10 times better at keeping the heat in*.
FOLLOW A ON WHEN IN, OFF WHEN OUT MANTRA
Setting your central heating timer correctly is a simple and easy way to save on your energy bills. Fix the heating to come on for a couple of hours when you wake up to make those chilly morning showers much more bearable, and then for a couple of hours again in the evening. Don’t waste money by having the heating on during the day when no-one is reaping the benefits!
WINTER WARMERS
Stock up your winter wardrobe with onesies, woolly jumpers and thick fluffy socks. Layering up your loungewear will not only keep you warm, but will also save a substantial amount of money on your energy bills. Adding a throw to your sofa will also give your living room a re-vamp while doubling up as a cosy blanket for nights in with a takeaway.
DON’T BE DAFT, AVOID THE DRAFT
When the temperatures drop, our homes can feel cold and draughty. Although doors are designed to shut out the cold, this isn’t always the case as the biting winter wind always seems to find a way through the smallest of cracks and gaps. The usual reaction to this is to turn up the heating, but Zenith strongly suggest buying draught excluders or cushions to place by doors to block out the unwelcome breeze.
SECURE SOME HEAT
Draught excluders are a great short term solution, but a double glazed PVCu door will keep out the draught and retain heat in the long term. It will also add increased security to your home as well as giving it a more modern exterior.
CLOSE THE CURTAINS
20% of your homes heat escapes through cracks and gaps around doors and windows**. Drawing the curtains every evening can act like a draught excluder by keeping the cold air out and the warm air in
SWITCH ON TO SWITCHING OFF
46% of the UK population admits to only switching their appliances off when they go on holiday and for 22%, not at all***.Switching off every day appliances that usually go unnoticed will help you make a large saving in the long run. Make sure you switch off the TV when you leave the living room and unplug any other appliances with a standby mode.
WAIT A MINUTE MR POSTMAN
A letterbox is essentially a whole in the door which lets in the icy outdoor air. Fitting a letter box cover with draught-proof brushes will help to keep out the cold and is easily installed. It won’t stop the postman delivering the energy bills but it will help reduce them in the long term!
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
It is not just windows and doors that can let in a frosty draught – holes around pipes and extractor fans can also let in chilly air. Use some expanding foam filler in the gaps to keep conquer the crafty cold air and help reduce the temptation to turn up the thermostat!