Energy bills are never far from the headlines right now, with more misery in store next month when families face a whopping £693-a-year price hike.
But there are small steps you can take to lower your very low-cost energy bills.
Although a new, more energy-efficient boiler, replacement windows or improved insulation will all reduce costs, they are beyond the means of many families, who must balance their rising energy bills with soaring fuel prices and food.
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Higher National Insurance payments and rising council taxes and broadband bills are also coming next month, which will weigh on household budgets.
And as a result, many Brits will be thinking about how to reduce their energy consumption to drastically reduce the cost of their bills.
Luckily, you can pick up supplies from the supermarket for as little as 60p, which could help you save a decent amount.
Tashema Jackson, energy expert at energyhelpline, said: “While some of the advice may seem quite non-technical, it can make a difference in the amount of gas or electricity needed to bring your home up to your ideal temperature.”
Here are some of the budget ways you can make a difference to your heating bills.
Hack 1: Switch to LEDs
Cost: From an additional 80p per bulb
Savings potential:£96 per bulb
Start with a nice, easy bulb – when you need to replace a bulb, spend a little more and replace it with an LED bulb.
Although the initial cost of the LED bulb is higher, it has an average rated life of 20,000 hours, while the filament bulb only lasts 1,000 hours. So one LED bulb would last as long as 20 incandescent bulbs.
The biggest advantages of LED bulbs are their energy efficiency. An LED bulb that uses only 5 watts of power does the same job as a filament bulb that uses 40 watts. This leads to real energy savings.
On an example energy tariff of £0.28 per kWh, the LED bulb would cost £28 over its lifetime. The incandescent bulb, however, would cost £224 over the same period.
(Picture: Chronicle)
Tip 2: Film your windows with stretch film
Cost: Around 60p
To safeguard: £30 per year
Create the effect of double glazing without the high price tag by placing a layer of plastic wrap over window frames to seal in more pockets of hot air that might escape or filter out cold air.
Draft protection around windows and doors could save you around £30 a year according to the Energy Saving Trust.
It can be achieved from just 60 pence if you buy something as simple as cling film from a supermarket.
You can also buy window film kits for around £5-10 which is much cheaper than the cost of full double glazing.
Hack 3: Aluminum foil behind the radiator
Cost: 65p for a roll of foil
to safeguard £20 per year
Putting aluminum foil behind your radiator could save you money on your energy bills every time you turn on the heater.
It works by reflecting warm air from the back of your radiator back into the room, rather than off the wall.
Simply tape the corner of the sheet and place it behind your radiator.
British Gas says the trick could save you £20 a year.
If you want to push the boat, hardware stores such as Screwfix or B&Q stock special tougher radiator foils like this one.
Hack 4: draft exclusions
Cost: £3
Economy: Up to £74 per year
Who remembers the sausage rolls in your grandmother’s house?
She had the right idea – to save money, you want to keep cold air out and warm air out.
According to Uswitch, millions of people waste £128 a year on their heating bills alone.
DIY anti-draft starts at just over £3 for a roll of anti-draft tape, or you can remove the knitting needles.
Whatever you use, place it to block unwanted spaces around windows, doors and fireplaces that let in cold air and hot air.
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