Dealing With the Energy Price Increases
It’s a scary time for many households across the UK as we all prepare for the energy price increase due to come into effect on October 1st. It’s estimated that the country’s poorest households could end up spending almost half of their disposable income on energy bills this winter.
If you’re worried about your fuel bills and keeping warm this winter, there are a few things you can do to deal with energy price increases. Though these won’t solve the problem entirely, they may help you reduce your outgoings.
Turn Off Appliances
Leaving things such as televisions on standby uses more electricity than you might think so turn off any appliances that you’re not using. Get used to switching off the lights when you leave a room and when your lightbulbs run out, consider replacing them with LED alternatives as these use less energy.
Fill Gaps
Keep the heat in your home by filling in any gaps around doors or windows and use draught excluders to keep warmth in the main rooms you use.
Lower Your Thermostat
Check your thermostat and consider lowering it by a degree or two. The Energy Saving Trust suggests having your thermostat set to between 18 and 21 degrees during winter.
Radiator Maintenance
You should aim to bleed your radiators at least twice a year to release any trapped air which will prevent them from heating up properly. You might also want to turn radiators off in rooms that you don’t often use.
Invest in Insulation
If you don’t already have insulation, now is a good time to invest in some to help keep your home warm. You may also be eligible for free loft and cavity wall insulation.
What else is being done?
These simple tips can help you save money on your energy bills but for many, it will still be a long, cold and difficult winter so what else is being done or can be done to help?
There are several existing schemes designed to help people on lower incomes with increased energy bills during the colder months. Pensioners may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment of between £250 and £600, which is paid automatically. Those on a low income may also be eligible to apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme, which opens in November and can reduce electricity bills by up to £140. Millions of households will also be able to get £400 off their bills this winter through the new Energy Bills Support Scheme.
Meanwhile, there are calls for the government to extend the help offered to the most vulnerable and some have suggested nationalising energy suppliers to lower prices and avoid excessive profits. Elsewhere in Europe, governments have limited energy price increases, with countries such as France stepping in to cap price rises at 4% for the year.
