With a higher energy price cap coming into force on鈥�October 1鈥痑nd the warm summer days seemingly behind us, many households are worried about keeping their bills down over the months ahead.
It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to curbing your energy use, but the good news is that small changes can add up to noticeable savings.听
Simple actions to make your home more energy efficient, like fitting draught excluders around windows and doors, can stop warm air escaping.听
Swapping old bulbs for鈥�LEDs鈥痗an cut lighting costs by as much as 80%, and lowering your thermostat by just鈥�one degree鈥痗ould trim heating bills by up to 10% without you really feeling the difference.听
Using heating timers also helps keep your home warm when you need it, without you having to pay for heat when you don鈥檛.听
Big household appliances can use a lot of energy. Washing clothes at鈥�30 degrees, line-drying laundry where possible, and switching devices off fully instead of leaving them on standby are all good habits. Turning appliances off at the plug alone could save around鈥�拢50 a year.听
It’s also a good time to check you鈥檙e on the best energy tariff. Suppliers offer different deals, and it鈥檚 worth checking whether you鈥檙e on the best one for you.听
If you鈥檙e on a price-capped offer, it鈥檚 definitely worth shopping around to see if you could sign up to a fixed-term deal that undercuts the price cap. Online comparison sites can help you review options.听
There is financial support available for people struggling with bills. Schemes like the鈥�Warm Home Discount鈥痑苍诲鈥�Winter Fuel Payment (both of which have broadened their eligibility criteria since last winter)鈥痗an make a big difference, and some charities and energy providers offer grants too.听
If you鈥檙e unsure where to start, organisations such as鈥�Citizens Advice鈥痑nd the鈥�Energy Saving Trust鈥痯rovide free, practical guidance on managing energy use and accessing financial support.听
If you鈥檙e a鈥切拇�听customer, 辞耻谤鈥�specialist team is here to help with tailored energy advice.听