ENERGY bills continue to soar – and now the National Grid is warning we are at risk of blackouts lasting up to three hours at a time.
The best way to save money AND reduce the chances of power shortages this winter is to limit our usage.
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The Government has abandoned a £15million information campaign to encourage people to save energy in a row over content — so The Sun is stepping in.
Tara Evans, our Head of Consumer, brings you a print-out-and-keep guide with tips that could help slash a whopping £2,500 a year from your bills . . .
Don’t be draughed!
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PLUGGING up draughts around windows and doors could save you £125 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
You can buy a roll of draught seal, £4 for six metres, at Wilko.
SAVE: £125 A YEAR
Heat the person not the room
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WARMING a room costs eight times more than using an electric blanket and 40 times more than a hot water bottle, according to Professor David Halpern, of the Behavioural Insights Team.
You can pick up an electric blanket for a double bed for £30, and running it for one hour costs 28p, according to uSwitch.
SAVE: £11 A NIGHT
Boilering point
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MOST homeowners know that turning down the thermostat by one degree could cut £100 a year off bills.
But do you know about the boiler temperature trick?
If you set your combi boiler to 55C it could help cut bills by £70 a year, according to Octopus Energy.
SAVE: £70 A YEAR
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Take it slow…
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CHOOSE how you cook your dinner carefully. Using a slow cooker for five hours or a microwave for half an hour costs 17p, while an air fryer is 26.5p for half an hour.
Switching on the oven costs 71p an hour – but it might help keep you warm for a while. Using a slow cooker five days a week would save you £180 a year.
SAVE: £180 A YEAR
Fill up your dishwasher
NEVER run your dishwasher when it’s only partly full.
If you can cut down using to once a week you could save £27 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
SAVE: £27 A YEAR
Be sure to get tanked up
AN insulation jacket on your hot water tank could cut bills by £35 a year, according to Octopus Energy.
Aim for a British Standard Jacket, 80mm thick. Also, insulate exposed pipes between your hot water cylinder and boiler.
SAVE: £35 A YEAR
Turn that light out!
TURN off lights when you’re not using them or when you leave a room.
This could knock £25 a year off your costs, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
SAVE: £25 A YEAR
Grab an energy grant
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SLASH up to £1,500 off your bills with an energy grant.
Apply via the British Gas Energy Trust for £1,500 if you’re a customer or a payment of £250 and £750 if you’re not.
Check with your supplier to see if you are eligible and visit www.britishgas.co.uk/ here
SAVE: £1,500 A YEAR
Don’t overfill the freezer
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KEEPING your fridge freezer plugged in costs almost £100 a year, according to consumer experts Which?.
You can’t turn it off – but making it more energy efficient could cut running costs by 15 per cent, saving £15 a year.
Don’t overfill your fridge and keep your freezer at least three-quarters full.
SAVE: £15 A YEAR
Exorcise vampire appliances
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SWITCHING off devices that suck your energy when on standby could save you £77 a year, according to British Gas.
The most power-hungry appliances are TVs, microwaves, games consoles and desktop computers.
SAVE: £77 A YEAR
Get help from your council
THOUSANDS of households can get £100 free cash or vouchers towards energy bills this winter via the Government’s Household Support Fund. You must apply to your local council, and the amount being given varies on your location and financial circumstances. Find your local council here.
If you’re on a pre-payment meter and struggling, you can get a one-off £50 voucher via Citizens Advice, or speak to your supplier for help.
SAVE: £100 THIS WINTER
That dryer must take a tumble
IF you’re regularly using a tumble dryer, then you’re using one of the most energy-guzzling appliances in your home.
It costs £1.12 per cycle to run – or £175 a year, according to uSwitch, based on three loads of washing a week.
Ditch it entirely and use your radiators once you switch your heating on. Alternatively, a heated airer costs 10p an hour or £62 a year, based on using it three times a week.
SAVE: £175 A YEAR
Wash your temperature
TURNING down the temperatures on your washing machines to 30C saves £54 a year, according to MoneySavingExpert.
You should also try doing fewer loads of washing and make sure you fill up the machine each time. Doing that could cut your bills by another £19 a year.
SAVE: £73 A YEAR
