Heating bills warning as key change comes in this week | Personal Finance | Finance
Families have been encouraged to think about how they use their heating as a key changes comes in just a few days’ time. People often time when they put on the heating around the daylight hours, turning up the heating as it gets darker and temperatures drop.
One factor to bear in mind here is the days will start to get longer after this weekend. The shortest day of the year, winter solstice, falls on Sunday, December 21 this year.
So after this date, sunset will be later in the day. Sunset is currently at around 4pm and this will gradually get later over the months ahead. As we are going into the coldest part of the year, it’s a good idea to think about ways to keep your energy bills down, as you rely on your heating more.
Matthew Sheeran, external relations manager at free financial help group Money Wellness, said: “Energy bills usually rise sharply in winter, and it’s easy to see why.
“Shorter days and colder nights mean we use more heating, more lighting, and more hot water. For many households, this can push bills up by tens or even hundreds of pounds a month – sometimes doubling what you pay in summer.
“Heating is the biggest culprit for bill rises, but longer nights and more showers or baths also add to your usage. Poor insulation, draughty windows, or electric heating can make the increase even bigger. On average, households use around 60-70 percent of their annual energy in the coldest three months.
He said it’s a good idea to think about how to reduce your usage, particularly with the Ofgem price cap increasing in January. Mr Sheeran said: “You don’t need to worry about going without, as even small changes or tweaks can make a real difference.
“Things like turning your thermostat down by just 1C can save you around £80 to £150 a year. While draught-proofing doors and windows will also reduce your usage and using timers or smart heating controls could help you save somewhere between £75 to £110 by heating only when you need it.”
He shared another tip about using your appliances: “You should try to wash clothes a lower temperature – around 30C – as this uses less energy, turn off or unplug unused appliances, and make the most of natural light.
“Layering up indoors and only heating the rooms you use can also reduce costs. Altogether, these steps could save most households £200 to £300 this winter, keeping you warm without sending your bills soaring.”
