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With the new energy price cap coming into force from October 1, experts have shared their top energy tips to help people save over £600 this winter.
From October 1, 2023, the energy price cap will be set at £1,923 a year for a typical household that uses gas and electricity and pays by Direct Debit.
As Ofgem announced the new energy price cap, new figures from the Resolution Foundation demonstrate that while the cost per unit of energy is coming down, 7.2 million households in England will spend more than they did last winter.
From setting the thermostat to high and leaving the heating on, Britons are warned of what bad energy habits to avoid this winter to keep their bills low.
Britons could make savings by lowering the thermostat or washing their clothes as a specific temperature.
Stephen Hankinson, energy efficiency expert at Electric Radiators Direct explained how five common bad habits could be making one’s household energy bill unnecessarily high.
Setting the thermostat too high
As the temperatures get colder, many people tend to set the thermostat a little higher to avoid the discomfort of getting out of a warm bed and into a cold room. But the cost of doing this can really add up quickly.
Forgetting to turn the heating off
Constantly forgetting to turn the heating off could really start adding to one’s bill.
To avoid this mistake, Britons can invest in smart thermostats that connect the heating system to the internet, allowing people to change the temperature or switch their heating off on their smartphone or other device when they’re out and about.
Mr Hankinson said: “Although the up-front cost of one of these – which typically range from £135 to £200 – may seem high at first, according to The Eco Experts, these types of smart devices could potentially save people between 14 percent and 31 percent in energy costs.
“This means that for the current average household, you could knock about £560 off your bill in a year. Factoring in the upfront cost, you may start seeing some savings after around four months, so you may want to consider the investment for the long-term benefit if you can.”
Washing clothes at high temperatures
If people start washing their clothes at 40 degrees or lower (rather than 60 or 90), they may be able to save about 70 kWh per year. This works out to about £23 a year on their bills, which in the long run can add up.
Spend less time in the shower
Keeping the shower time to just four minutes could save a typical household £65 (£65 in NI) a year on their energy bills.
Swapping just one bath a week with a four minute shower could save people £14 (£14 in NI) a year on their energy bills.
Leaving electronics plugged in or on standby
Reports show that turning off “vampire devices” might result in annual savings of up to £147 on one’s electricity bill.
He explained that some of the “worst offenders” are TVs and set-up boxes (From Virgin or Sky, for example). Combined, these can add a total of around £47 to the annual energy bill, according to British Gas.
Other devices people should take care to switch off at the wall include:
- Microwave: around £16
- Electric shower: around £10
- Washing machine: around £5
- Printer: around £4
- Phone charger: around £1
