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With heavy snow covering most of the country, there is no doubt that the first really cold winter is finally here.
But the cold weather is terrible news for households that can’t afford to heat their homes the way they want.
Only one in five (18 percent) of us turn on the central heating as often as necessary, according to research from research firm YouGov last week. Even worse, 15 percent of people cannot afford to heat their homes at all.
There are a few ways to save money on utility bills and heat your home for less – but separating fact from fiction can be tricky.
Stay Warm: As the cold weather bites, many are concerned about the cost of their heating, but there are ways to save on this
There are plenty of ‘energy saving tips’ that won’t get you anything and can only cost you money and time.
Fortunately, This is Money has done the legwork and found out what works – and what doesn’t.
Money-saving energy tips that work
Draft resistant
Some of the best energy saving advice may sound like something your grandparents would have said, such as blocking drafts whenever possible.
But that’s because that advice has stood the test of time — and the test of generations living in colder, draughtier properties than we do today.
Draught-tight cracks around windows, doors and floor parts by applying foam strips, plastic seals or brushes.
Seal gaps between floors and baseboards with a simple caulk that you can buy at a DIY store for a few dollars. This small expense can save you £30 a year on energy bills and make your home feel a lot warmer.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “As temperatures drop, many households will want to save money quickly and easily around the home.
“Draft sealing is a quick and cost-effective way to keep your home warm while saving money on your bills.
Seals between the door and frame help prevent heat from escaping, and you should also seal any gaps around your windows and your attic hatch. Draft strips at the bottom of the door of every room you’re in can also keep out the cold.”
Reduce the flow rate of your boiler
A simple adjustment to your combi boiler’s settings can save you over £100 a year.
Boilers have a flow temperature – the level at which they heat radiators. These work more efficiently when the temperature is set at 60C.
However, boiler supply temperatures are often set much higher, according to research by charity Nesta.
Reducing the flow rate of your boiler from 80C to 60C saves nine per cent of total gas consumption, or £112 for an average home.
The settings usually vary from boiler to boiler, so it’s worth going through the manual to find out how to reset yours.
You should also ensure that your boiler is regularly serviced and consider boiler insurance as only a fifth of home insurance policies cover boilers.
Install special thermostatic radiator valves
Your radiators may have small numbered dials – use them. These are called thermostatic radiator valves and they regulate the heat emitted by each radiator.
By setting them to the desired level, you can save energy and therefore money, because you can control which rooms are heated and by how much.
The cost savings depend on how you use these valves – but some power companies claim they can reduce energy use by up to 40 percent. It’s worth noting that modern thermostatic valves are a substantial improvement over older ones – and if you’re having them fitted, learn how to use them properly.
Only use devices when they are full
Gallizzi said: ‘Large household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers are among the biggest consumers of energy.
“To make sure you’re using them efficiently, only run them when they’re full to reduce the number of washes. It is also advisable to wash your clothes at 30C.’
Insulate your property
If you can afford it, upgrading or installing insulation can really help you save money. However, this comes at an upfront cost, which can negate any cost savings for a while.
Gallizzi said: ‘Improving your home’s insulation is a bigger and more lengthy job that can save you money on your bills.
Home insulation has improved dramatically over the years, but millions of UK homes are not up to current standards.
“If you’re considering going down this route, it’s worth talking to an expert to see how your home’s energy efficiency can be improved.”
> Ask an Expert: Is it cheaper to use an electric heater to heat the room I work in, or turn on the central heating?
Paint it black: Rumors that painting a radiator black can make it much more efficient have been exaggerated – although it can provide marginal savings
Money saving energy myths to be wary of
Leaving the heating on low all day saves money
There is an urban myth that leaving the central heating on at a lower temperature all day is cheaper than running it at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time.
However, experts at the Energy Saving Trust say this is not true and it is more effective to use shorter bursts of heat.
Installing foil behind radiators saves energy
This is a very old tip – and there is a small grain of truth in it. The idea is that placing reflective foil behind a radiator will reflect the heat back into the room, rather than it disappearing through a wall.
That works in theory. But if you use standard kitchen foil, it will oxidize over time – making it almost useless for storing heat.
It is more effective to buy professional radiator reflection foil. This costs around £8 for a four meter roll from shops such as B&Q and Screwfix.
Painting radiators black saves you money
Due to rising energy costs, this ‘tip’ is widely shared on social media. The theory is that black objects retain heat better, so painting radiators this color makes them more effective.
However, this probably won’t do much. If you were to paint your radiator matte black, it would be about 1 percent more effective than a white one.
So you don’t need to repaint your radiators unless you really like the look.
It is cheaper to use energy at night
This may be true, but it all depends on the type of rate you have.
If you have an Economy 7 or Economy 10 rate, you will save money because you pay less for your energy at night.
But for most people with standard energy tariffs, such as widespread energy price caps, running appliances overnight won’t make any difference to the cost or amount of energy consumed.
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