Octopus, EDF, British Gas, E.On Alert as £130 Savings on Offer
Households can save £130 on energy bills by adjusting their thermostat settings
Energy, Savings, Households, UK, Thermostat
London: You know, if you want to save some cash on your energy bills, there’s a super simple trick. Just turn down your heating thermostat by one degree Celsius. It’s quick and could save you around £130 a year!
Some smart folks at University College London did the math, and they found that this little change can really add up. Most experts say keeping your home between 18C and 22C is best, but many people set it way higher, like at 23C or more.
Llewellyn Kinch, the CEO of MakeMyHouseGreen, suggests that 20C is a comfy spot when you’re active at home. It’s just right for most activities without feeling too chilly.
If you’re worried about feeling cold, Kinch has a tip: throw on some warmer clothes or grab a blanket instead of cranking up the heat. Energy prices have been on the rise since the start of the year, with average bills now hitting £1,738 annually.
Citizens Advice reported that the number of people asking for help with their bills doubled last year compared to 2020. With costs climbing, energy comparison site Bionic has some handy thermostat tips to help you save.
Les Roberts, an energy expert, recommends only heating your home when you really need to. You can do this by setting a timer on your thermostat or looking into a time-of-use tariff, which offers cheaper rates during off-peak hours, usually from 10pm to 8am.
Also, if your appliances are older than ten years, it might be time to upgrade to more energy-efficient models. Roberts points out that newer washing machines and dishwashers can make a difference.
If you’re struggling to pay your bills, Roberts explains that suppliers must give you at least 28 days to pay off any debt before taking action. If you still can’t pay, they might install a prepayment meter, but only after giving you a week’s notice.
He stresses that this should be a last resort. Suppliers should first offer a repayment plan. If you refuse to pay after all that, they can get a warrant to enter your home and install a prepayment meter or change your smart meter to a pay-as-you-go setup.
Roberts also mentioned that if you have a prepayment meter and it’s hard to access, your provider must move it to a more convenient spot, especially if you have mobility issues.