With experts predicting that electricity and gas bills could rise by as much as 50% in the next four years, homeowners are increasingly keen to hear about ways to make their homes cosier – and save money. And in the spirit of Energy Saving Week (October 24-28), we've teamed up with PlumbNation to offer you 10 top ways to make this winter warmer and cheaper...
Organised by the Energy Saving Trust, this year's Energy Saving Week is helping consumers take back control of spiralling energy bills at home. And a key part of the week will focus on showing homeowners how renewable energy technologies such as Solar Photovoltaic (PV), small-scale wind turbines and air-source heat pumps can dramatically cut the typical household energy bill.
Costing between £6,000 and £12,000 for an installation, a solar PV average domestic will produce an income/saving of between £900 and £1,600 a year, index-linked and tax free and guaranteed for 25 years.
David Hunt, a director of leading renewable energy company Eco Environments, is a strong supporter of Energy Saving Week and believes we should be exploring new options to help cut down on bills.
He said: "It makes complete sense for the week to focus on helping consumers reduce their energy bills. We know from our discussions with customers that the spiralling cost of their bills is one of their biggest financial concerns.
"With leading analysts such as Deutsche Bank predicting that gas and electricity bills could rise by as much as 50% over the next four years, more and more people are keen to explore new options to help them combat this seemingly irreversible upwards trend."
Top tips for a warmer and cheaper winter
at home have spoken to Royden Evans, Managing Director of PlumbNation, the UK’s leading online plumbing and heating supplies website, for top tips on cutting down on energy bills this winter...
- Invest in a high efficiency A rated condensing boiler – you could save up to £225 per annum on your average fuel bills.
- Install Thermostatic valves on radiators – allows you to precisely control the heat in your rooms and lower the heat settings in rooms that are used less frequently.
- Fit correctly sized radiators – you only need to heat the space you have. Too large a radiator will increase bills unnecessarily, but too small a radiator will be too cold and will be constantly running at maximum.
- Install a heating controller – this allows you to programme the boiler setting times for when your property is occupied – instead of heating it when it is empty. Wireless controls are cheaper to install as they have less wiring involved and also minimise disturbance to your existing decor.
- Install a room thermostat in the coldest room of your home – keep the thermostat away from any form of heat source to avoid inaccurate readings. This will ensure your home is the correct temperature at all times.
- Invest in a weather compensator – this allows you to gradually heat your house as weather patterns change rather than switching on the heating to full which quickly wastes energy and money.
- Regularly check and add chemical cleansing inhibitor – this helps to keep your system at optimal performance.
- Install a central heating filter – to remove sludge and limescale from the radiator system.
- Choose a high efficiency A-rated pump – up to 80% more efficient than uncontrolled circulation pumps. Pre-lagged to retain heat.
- Ensure pipes are insulated – this retains heat in your central heating system and protects pipes from freezing during colder months.
Image: PA Photos
