Frustratingly, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST)<\/a> this latest change will only lower a typical household\u2019s bills by around \u00a3150 a year. This means many people are still paying hundreds of pounds more for their gas and electricity compared to two years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest cost-savers come in the form of home improvements, such as insulation, double-glazing and solar panels. But these can be extremely expensive. <\/p> But before you reside yourself to another winter shivering under blankets, there are some simple yet somewhat surprising ways to save on your energy bills. Minimal spend required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhatever your budget, there are actions you can take that can help you save money on your heating costs this winter,\u201d says Joanna O\u2019Loan, knowledge manager at Energy Saving Trust (EST).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cQuick, low and no-cost measures such as blocking up draughts or turning down your thermostat can help you start making savings immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So bring on snuggle season with the aid of our 12 tips to reduce your energy bills while staying toasty.<\/p> It\u2019s an age-old argument, but believe it or not there is an official expert-backed date to flick on the thermostat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While some households may have been enjoying a toasty warmth since the end of the UK\u2019s soggy summer, experts recommend turning on your central heating around the 29th of October. This is when daylight saving time ends and temperatures begin to fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As that date has officially passed, we\u2019re now allowed to crank it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To save money on bills, however, it is recommended not to use heating at night, or when you are not at home.<\/p> If you are going away when it’s very cold, it’s a good idea to put your heating on a timer to prevent pipes freezing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe always advise keeping your thermostat at a minimum of 10 degrees to protect your pipes from freezing,\u201d says Andy Kerr, Founder at BOXT<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFrozen pipes not only stop your heating from working properly, but can lead to costly complications, including burst pipes and plumber call-out fees.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Draughts let warm air out and cold air in, meaning your heating system has to work a lot harder to keep your home warm.<\/p> But fitting relatively inexpensive draught-proofing strips to windows and doors is a quick and easy DIY job. And it’s one that, according to the EST, could save you around \u00a345 a year on your energy bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen fitting, make sure not to block up any intentional vents as these allow essential fresh air into your house,\u201d O\u2019Loan adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sounds obvious right? But closing blinds and curtains when there\u2019s a chill will help limit your home\u2019s heat loss, meaning rooms will feel cosier and less \u00a3\u00a3\u00a3 spent on heating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s worth making sure your blinds and curtains don\u2019t block any heat from radiators getting into the room. When they are closed, O\u2019Loan recommends they should stop between the edge of the windowsill and above any radiators.<\/p> And use it to help keep your rooms cosy. \u201cOpen your blinds and curtains during sunny spells to help heat the rooms inside your home,\u201d recommends Kerr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen grey skies and rainy showers take over, shutting your curtains and blinds will help to keep the warmth in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And lower your thermostat by 1\u00b0C. “By turning your heating down by just 1\u00b0C, you can save up to 10% on your heating bill,” explains Jordan Chance, heating expert from PlumbNation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also important to avoid a classic thermostat faux pas. “Contrary to popular belief, turning up your thermostat does not heat up your room quicker. This method will only send your energy bills skyrocketing,” Chance adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the World Health Organisation, the lowest comfortable temperature for most people is between 18\u00b0C and 21\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re popping out for a few hours, O\u2019Loan suggests switching your heating off and setting it to come back on for when you get back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt costs less to set your heating to come on when you need it and just in the rooms that you are using, rather than keeping it on low all day,\u201d she explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your radiators aren’t in your weekly cleaning routine, then now\u2019s a good time to add them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “A build-up of dust can affect your health, allergies and your heating,” explains Chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Layers of dust in your radiator can prevent heat from escaping effectively, meaning your radiators will have to work harder to warm your room.” Who knew?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open fires, when not in use, result in a huge heat loss because warm air from the room is sucked out of the chimney. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA \u2018chimney sheep<\/a>\u2019 is a way of plugging the chimney when the fire is not in use and will save loads,\u201d suggests Jo Alsop, founder of The Heating Hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWarm air escaping out of letter boxes<\/a> and around doors and windows also wastes lots of energy and increases energy bills.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, it may seem convenient but the clothes you place over the top of your radiators prevent the heat from escaping and heating your room. As your boiler has to pick up the slack and work at a greater rate, this increases costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSimilarly, the increase in the air\u2019s moisture can create condensation, leading to potential issues with mould and dampness,\u201d notes Kerr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo dry your clothes faster, consider using a dehumidifier. These are often much cheaper to use than tumble dryers and can prevent damp in your home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some electrical appliances quietly suck up energy even when left in standby mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recent research by British Gas suggests that households could save an average of \u00a3147 per year just by switching off so-called ‘vampire devices’, which refers to appliances that use power even if they are on standby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further stats from SaveMoneyCutCarbon suggest the average amount of energy consumed by gadgets on standby or in a non-active state is between 9% and 16% of a home\u2019s total energy bill. So remember to unplug that TV when it’s not in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"thermostat\"](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-11.jpg\")
The right date to put the heating on<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"log](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-14-700x525.jpg\")
Ditch the draughts <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Sylvan](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sylvan-vintage-linen-pweter-blinds2gos.jpg\")
Draw the curtains<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Make the most of the sun<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"bed](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-13.jpg\")
Try the step-down challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Set a heating schedule<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"radiator\"](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-design-12.jpg\")
Clean your radiators<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Address non-obvious drafts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t dry clothes on the radiator <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Switch off vampire appliances<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"made](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/made-tvunit.jpg\")
Be smart with radiator settings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n