Cut energy use at home as bills rise

With the energy price cap rising on Thursday, cutting energy use at home can help both household budgets and the environment. Here are some of the most effective steps, many of which cost little or nothing.

Heating

• Turn your thermostat down by one degree if it is comfortable, which can make a noticeable difference to your heating bill over a year.
• Use thermostatic radiator valves to heat only the rooms you are using.
• Set your heating to come on only when you need it, and bleed radiators so they heat up properly.
• If you have a combi boiler, lowering the flow temperature can make it run more efficiently.

Keeping heat in

• Close curtains at dusk and keep doors closed between rooms.
• Use draught excluders on doors and seal gaps around windows.
• Check that your loft insulation is deep enough.

Electricity

• Switch appliances off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby.
• Replace old bulbs with LEDs.
• Wash clothes at 30 degrees and dry them outside or on a rack when possible.
• Only boil the water you need.

Bigger changes

For households that can afford it, or that qualify for grants, bigger improvements such as cavity wall insulation, new windows, heat pumps and solar panels can cut bills and emissions for years. Government schemes offer support for some households, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives grants towards heat pumps.

Staying safe

Cutting back on heating should not put health at risk. The NHS advises keeping rooms you use regularly at 18C or above, especially for older people, babies and people with health conditions.

Watch out for scams

Be wary of cold callers offering free insulation or solar panels. Check that any installer is properly accredited, and never pay upfront to someone you have not checked.

Free advice

The Energy Saving Trust and Citizens Advice offer free, impartial advice on saving energy and finding grants.