Experts debate the cheapest way to use our household heating

Date:
Mon, 22 Nov 2021 09:44:11 +0000

Description:
The colder weather has many of us reaching for the thermostat, but whats the most cost-effective approach?

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There are many reasons why UK consumers are looking to save on their energy bills right now. Whether its the record-high wholesale prices pushing up our energy costs, Ofgems recent price cap going up by 139 or the fact that the current energy crisis shows no signs of letting up.

Whatever it might be, the reality is that the nations households will still
be wanting to turn the heating on as the colder weather arrives. But at a
time where its getting more and more expensive to do this, it raises the question of whats the most cost-effective approach to take: Leaving the heating on low all the time Only using the heating as and when you need it What the experts believe is the best option

A recent report in the Express , which consulted a number of energy experts
on this subject, revealed they shared the unanimous belief that the best and cheapest course of action is to only use your heating when you need it.

However, they also agreed that how well insulated your home is ultimately determines how much energy is needed to heat it up and how effective it is at retaining the warmth.

In addition, the use of timers was also praised and recommended for use on weekends when we typically spend more time at home and for those working from home during the week.

Sarah Broomfield from Uswitch offered these comments on the matter:

For those living in properties that arent as well insulated, the cost of leaving your heating on all the time will be especially expensive. Typically, the most energy-efficient approach to heating your home is to programme your heating system so that it comes on at times when you need it most.

With many of the more modern room thermostats you also have the ability to
set different temperatures at different times - and even set up a separate timer for weekends.

This view was also shared by the Energy Saving Trust who explained how: Heating controls help you keep your home comfortably warm, without over-heating and wasting energy. By installing and using your heating
controls effectively, you could save money on your heating bills and lower your carbon emissions. Other means of cutting your energy costs

At the moment the advice is to avoid running an online energy comparison because switching to a cheaper tariff unfortunately isnt an option right now. This is because even the best energy deals from the UKs best energy suppliers wont beat the current price cap. However, in addition to only using your heating when you need it, there are other ways you can look to reduce your consumption and cut your energy bills.

You can enquire about the Winter Fuel Payment and the Warm Home Discount scheme, which subject to your eligibility can get money off your bills. If youve yet to have one installed, a smart meter can also tell you how much energy youre using in real time, giving you an insight into when you need to reduce your consumption.

Other than this, being vigilant with which devices you leave in stand-by mode can help save you money. But if youre looking for a few more tips and tricks, weve previously listed out a number of steps you can take to help keep your energy bills down.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/experts-debate-the-cheapest-way-to-use-our-hous ehold-heating/


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