Energy-wasting habits to break now – ‘start saving!’

Cost of Living: Man fears how his mum 'will afford heating'

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Energy costs will reach a new high from October 1, when Ofgem’s updated price cap comes into effect. The sharp increase in annual bills has led many of us to re-think our gas and electricity consumption, though a few hidden habits may go unnoticed. According to experts, even simple things like forgetting to dust appliances and sockets can contribute to energy waste, but what else should you avoid doing to keep bills to a minimum this winter?

Not adjusting your thermostat

One of the small changes you can make to save money is decreasing the temperature on your thermostat.

Turning it down by several degrees is bound to save you money on your heating bill, but according to an expert, even just one degree can make a significant difference.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Les Roberts, content manager at Bionic said: “A slight change of just one degree could reduce your heating bills by as much as 10 percent, and is a quick way to start saving.”

The Energy Saving Trust recommends an inside temperature of 18-21C during winter, so it is advisable to avoid dropping too far below this bracket.

Overheating your water

It’s no secret that shorter, colder showers will save you a bit of money, but there’s more you can do to cut heating costs.

Les said: “Heating hot water over 60C wastes energy and can even cause burns, yet many people never think to turn down the water temperature in their homes.”

He recommended taking a quick look at your manual to find out how to turn off the water heater’s power supply before altering the temperature.

Insulating your pipes will help to maintain the heat you do use and stop them freezing in the winter.. According to Les, this will save you money on bills and maintenance costs.

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Ignoring dripping taps

A minor drip from your kitchen or bathroom tap may not seem like a big deal and is something many of us often get used to and ignore.

However, Les warned that if even a small drip is left unresolved, it is quite literally “money down the drain”.

He said: “Consider switching to a spray tap to reduce water usage.”

Leaving your heating on all the time

Leaving your central heating on a low setting all the time is often thought of as the cheapest way to heat your home.

However, Les explained that this is not the case. He said: “Many homeowners waste money by heating unused rooms when people are out.

“Setting a timer on your thermostat to start heating at certain times is much more cost effective.”

Forgetting to clean your tumble dryer

Cleaning dust from plug sockets and de-scaling a kettle are both important for energy efficiency, and the same applies to tumble dryers.

The experts at domestic appliance manufacturer, Hoover told Express.co.uk: “There are various styles of tumble dryers (condenser, vented and heat pump and each will have dedicated instructions; but there are some universal rules that households should follow to keep their dryer well maintained.

“Lint filters should be cleaned after every use by gently ‘scraping’ lint from the internal surface of the filter.”

The experts said: “Running the filter under the tap or giving it the once over with a vacuum cleaner will ensure it is extra clean, but make sure it’s properly dried before putting it back in place.

“This must be done regularly as failure to remove lint will result in a build up, which has the potential to pose a fire risk.”

Your tumble dryer is in the wrong place

The positioning of energy-guzzling appliances is just as important as the way you use them.

The experts at Hoover said: “Tumble dryers use heat to dry, so make sure your dryer is placed in a location with good ventilation. “Dryers located in a warm room will use less energy, and those in a cold area will use more, so this should be a consideration for energy-conscious consumers.”

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