Amidst the cost of living crisis tightening its grip on family finances, an energy guru has come forward with savvy tips and tricks to keep heating costs low without sacrificing warmth this winter.
Andy Kerr, the brains behind BOXT, suggests that while the looming price cap hike may seem daunting, UK residents have more control than they might think.
To start trimming those bills, some initial investment is required to maximise home energy efficiency, which could lead to substantial savings down the line.
Yet, there’s also a straightforward, cost-free strategy that can be implemented immediately: simply lowering the thermostat. The expert assures that a minor adjustment won’t turn homes into iceboxes.
He advises: “Turning your thermostats down by just 1C from the current average temperature of 20C could save you over £100 per year on energy bills, without noticing too much of a difference in the temperature of your home.”
Andy has shared a few top tips on slashing those heating bills without breaking the bank or calling in costly experts. He suggests: “With options such as a hot water cylinder jacket, which you can fit yourself and costs around £15, you can quickly start making improvements.”
Further manageable upgrades include heavyweight curtains and sealing drafts in your home, which could prevent hard-earned cash from literally disappearing through the cracks.
To make substantial savings of up to £540 annually, Andy advises assessing whether your boiler is the ideal fit for your abode.
He explained: “All new and modern boilers have to be A-rated for efficiency. Older systems often have an efficiency rating as low as 60% – meaning 40% of the energy that you pay for is simply wasted! As a consequence, they have to work harder to produce the same heat, and some won’t even be able to reach the levels of new boilers. This puts a bigger strain on the old system, causing issues and higher energy bills.”
Andy also notes the potential to save about £75 per year with thermostatic radiator valves by managing the heat usage in less frequented rooms, as recommended by the Energy Saving Trust.
Additionally, utilising smart meters can assist households in tracking energy consumption and discovering tailored money-saving strategies.
Andy also pointed out that a smart metre can help reduce incorrect billings that may have gone unnoticed. He explained: “With the rising cost of living, smart metres can help to eliminate inaccurate bills, as they feedback directly to your energy supplier, meaning you shouldn’t get an unexpectedly high bill.”
