Cash strapped Brits are being given tips on how to save on their household bills as the chilly autumn and winter months approach.
The penny pinching pros at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk are sharing their tips on how to cut household bills as temperatures begin to drop.
With the current cost of living crisis, many families will be looking for ways to reduce their bills.
John Stirzaker, online consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes said: “We always encourage people to save little and often and we know that this year people are going to be particularly mindful of their energy bills.
“A lot of people will be reluctant to switch on the heating to avoid sending those bills through the roof. But by turning off some of the radiators in rooms you don’t use and investing in small portable heaters you can stay warm throughout winter without feeling guilty.
“Other changes we suggest making include switching to LED bulbs and switching to an eco shower head.”
How to save on household bills:
- Don’t keep all of the radiators on
There’s no point in heating up the whole house if you only use around two rooms. Consider turning off the radiators in the rooms that no one in your home uses, this will help you save on the pennies whenever you go to turn your heating on.
- Consider portable heaters
Another alternative is to consider purchasing a portable heater. This way when you’re feeling chilly, you can put this on instead of firing up the heating around the rest of your home. This is a great option for people who work from home, have smaller families and for those who live alone.
- Check your insulation
If you find yourself having to stick the heating on far too often then it could be that your home has poor insulation and you may benefit from having something like loft insulation put into place. Although it’s a heavy upfront cost, it can save you loads in the long run.
- Move furniture away from the radiator
If you have things like sofas and tables in front of your radiator then consider moving them for the time being. The furniture will be absorbing all of the heat and will be preventing it from dispersing around the room.
- Consider an eco shower head
Most of us are guilty of taking longer showers than needed and buying an eco shower head will ensure you use less water. Eco shower heads combine hot water with air which makes the water pressure feel powerful without actually using too much water.
- Get a smart metre
If you haven’t already, you may want to get a smart metre for the winter. This will allow you to keep track of where your energy is coming from and how much it’s costing you. It may even encourage you to form some new habits.
- Only boil as much water as needed
Kettles use up a lot more electricity than people think and boiling more water than necessary is racking up your energy bills. If you only need enough water for two cups of tea and you’re filling up your kettle for four, your kettle is having to use more electricity for water you don’t need.
- Run the washing machine when full
Aim to wash your clothes when the machine is full to help save energy. Waiting until the machine is full will also mean that you’ll be using the washing machine less as a whole – newer models even have a quick wash or eco button which will use less energy. If you want to save even more money try using the machine at off peak times in the early hours or later at night.
- Try to use the tumble dryer less
The tumble dryer is another appliance that uses up a lot of energy and with it being colder outside, it can be tempting to use it to dry your clothes. Try to dry your clothes on an airing rack if possible, just make sure your home is well ventilated to avoid dampness.
- Check for draughts
Draughts could be the reason why you feel like your home loses heat quickly so try to block areas where draughts can sneak through. This could save you from having to put the heating on more frequently.