Home expert's 11 savvy tips to save money on your energy bills this winter

Households are being urged to try out ways to reduce their energy bills to help save money ahead of winter. As temperatures are now dropping across the country, people are looking for ways to keep warm whilst keeping costs down.

Home experts have now shared some savvy money-saving tips, from using appliances with a high efficiency rating to bleeding radiators to get the most optimal energy use over the winter.

Homeowners should ensure radiators aren’t blocked by furniture to allow their home to warm up quickly and reduce energy use, also adding reflective foil behind radiators can help heat reflect back into rooms.

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Some appliances, like tumble dryers, use a lot more energy than others, so opting for air drying your clothes instead is a cost effective alternative.

Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk says: "Winter can be a difficult time for homeowners, as the festivities and colder evenings often result in higher bills. By considering your energy consumption at home, you can identify effective ways to save throughout the season.

"There are simple yet cost effective ways to reduce your energy bills this winter, through insulating rooms and sealing draughts, families can enjoy a warm and comfortable home without the added heating bill to worry about.

"Maximising the efficiency of your heating when it's on is essential for families to stay warm during winter without raising energy costs."

The expert's 11 tips to save money and cut down on energy bills this winter:

Switch off standby

Leaving appliances on standby can significantly increase your energy bills. Unplugging and turning appliances off at the wall when they’re not in use is one sure way to stop wasting money.

Silver foil

Adding silver foil behind radiators can effectively reflect heat back into rooms, rather than into the walls. This can increase the overall temperature of your home and reduce energy consumption.

Uncover radiators

Having furniture such as beds and sofas against your radiators can hinder optimal heat circulation in your home, leading to increased radiator usage and a higher thermostat setting. Consider rearranging your furniture to expose the radiators for improved efficiency.

Take shorter showers

Long showers can contribute hugely to energy bills, reducing shower time by one minute on average can save £18 per household in a year. Turning water temperature down ever so slightly can also impact energy bills.

Add insulation

Insulating your walls will help retain heat in your home, saving you money on heating costs. Also adding insulation to your pipes will keep your water warmer, allowing you to avoid increasing the temperature during showers.

Wrap up

A simple yet effective way to avoid raising the thermostat during winter is to invest in thick dressing gowns, cosy socks, warm sweaters, and blankets. These additions can help you stay warm and comfortable without whacking up the heating.

Avoid the tumble dryer

Appliances that provide heat come at a costly price, so by avoiding the tumble dryer you could save up to £50 a year. Where possible, air drying your clothing is a budget friendly alternative.

Bleed radiators

Pockets of air can create cold patches on your radiator and prevent them from working optimally, regularly bleeding radiators will allow them to operate more efficiently. By taking this simple step, you can improve your home’s heating performance and in turn save money.

Draught proof

Doors, windows and any unwanted gaps can allow hot air to escape and cool air to enter your home. Blocking draughts by using sealant, window film, draught brushes and excluders can retain the heat in your home and avoid unnecessarily turning up the thermostat.

Use efficient appliances

Buying and using appliances that have a high efficiency rating can help you save a significant amount on energy bills whilst also decreasing your carbon footprint. Energy-efficient appliances use less electricity, which not only lowers costs but also decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production.

Washing at lower temperatures

Switching your wash cycle from 40 degrees to 30 degrees can help save you money over time. Also washing larger loads fewer times each week can increase your savings further.