Ofgem announced its latest review of the energy price cap last month, with the maximum amount utility providers can charge their standard tariff customers in the UK rising to £3,549 a year from October 1, an astounding 80 percent hike. As the situation is only expected to get worse, two energy experts have spoken exclusively to Express.co.uk on how households can heat their homes for less. They have shared the “optimum temperature” homes should set their thermostats to in order to save money on energy bills.
Ava Kelly, Energy Saving Expert at Energy Helpline told Express.co.uk: “The optimum temperature to keep your home heating on is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius during winter to save on energy bills. The World Health Organisation suggests 18 degrees is the ideal temperature for healthy people, and this is also the ideal temperature for sleeping.”
Natasha Berthiaume, Head of Brand at Hometree, also agreed with this. She told Express.co.uk: “People are becoming increasingly conscious about the amount of energy they’re using in the home and are actively seeking out ways to save. It’s right to think that turning your thermostat down by a few degrees can help save money.
“Many of us consider the ideal room temperature to be 21 degrees Celsius, but reducing it by a few degrees (to 18) can make a difference to your energy bills.”
The boiler and home emergency cover provider has also shared a few top tips on how to heat your home more efficiently this autumn and winter.
READ MORE: Five ‘most power-hungry’ kitchen appliances – how to ‘save money’
Powerflushing
Powerflushing can increase efficiency and reduce fuel bills by up to 30 percent, according to experts.
The energy pro said: “A sludge type material called magnetite can build up over time when our central heating systems have not been properly cleaned and maintained, and this leads to inefficient heating.
“A power flush will remove the magnetite and make sure only magnetite-free water is flowing around your radiators. This is usually carried out by an engineer and power flushing helps improve energy efficiency, particularly in older systems.”
Natasha warned households to look for signs in their radiators of any cold patches, such as if they take longer than usual to heat up, make unusual noises or produce discoloured water when you bleed them.
Insulate your pipework
This is a quick and easy way to prevent excessive heat loss and help reduce your energy usage. The expert explained: “This is essential as it also helps prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting in the cold winter months.
“You can simply purchase foam tubes from most DIY stores and place them over your pipes. This will help keep your water heated up for longer and prevent any blockages of ice.”
Get your boiler serviced
Getting boilers serviced can save money in the long run. Natasha explained: “Your boiler is one of your most important assets in the home, so it’s essential to ensure it’s in good working condition, to reduce the risk of a breakdown in the winter months when you need it the most.
“You can get an annual service visit included in your boiler cover. It’s going to make your boiler run more efficiently and make it last longer too.
“As a tip, boiler servicing can often be cheaper if booked in summer as engineers aren’t as busy during this time, so booking in your boiler servicing sooner rather than waiting around may prove more cost-effective also.”
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