05 February 2024 , 11:17
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The energy price cap surge on January 1 saw hundreds of thousands more UK households pushed closer to 'fuel poverty'.
As our already extortionate energy bills start creeping back up, Brits are desperate for ways to keep warm this winter without breaking the bank - especially as more bad weather is on the way. In fact, the Met Office has warned that temperatures in parts of the UK will plunge below freezing tomorrow morning, with the added chance of 'disruptive' snowfall.
However, a £6 item that millions of people overlook but could cut hundreds of pounds off your energy bill.
Dave Raval, a heating expert and Chief Executive at LoftZone, has warned that your house may be losing heat through your doors and windows, especially if you live in an older property. Speaking to The Sun, he said: "The best energy saving is the energy you don’t use, so looking at where heat may be escaping is key! You want to avoid paying to heat the air in your house and letting it go straight out.”
Raval has urged homeowners to go around the house on a cold evening and check 'every window and across every door' to see if there are any draughts. He says a 'cost-effective solution' to preventing the cold air coming in is to purchase a draught excluder.
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These are available from a slew of retailers including Dunelm, that is currently selling a fashionable 'Teddy Bear' version for just £6. Amazon also sells foam excluders that attach to the bottom of your doors and windows for £7.99.
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Now your house is well-insulated, it's also worth checking the efficiency of your radiators. Utility Bidder's managing director says removing dust from radiators can go a 'long way' in reducing the amount of energy you pay for. This is because a more efficient heating system allows people to turn down their thermostat.
"Every degree you lower your thermostat could help lower your energy bill by around 10 percent," he added. Even a low-energy use one-bedroom property in the UK using around 1,800 kWh of electricity a year could save nearly £50 a year from the small change.