HOUSEHOLDS might not know that a common mistake while using your chimney could be adding £65 a year onto your energy bills.
Failing to draught proof your chimney – which keeps cold air out and hot air in your home – could be driving up your bills.
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It could help you save money ahead of winter when bills are set to spiral to £3,549 on average a year from October 1.
Bills will rocket by an eye-watering 80% at this point when the new price cap rolls out, leaving many wondering about how they will afford rocketing costs.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to buffer yourself against crippling hikes.
But reducing your energy usage can save you money – including draught proofing your chimney correctly.
Hot air is drawn out through your chimney even when you’re not using it.
If you’ve got the heating on, then a lot of it will be lost.
Plugging the gap means you won’t be leaving your heating on for longer than it needs to – and you won’t be tempted to turn the thermostat up either.
This could save you £65 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
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The exact savings could vary depending on a number of factors, such as your energy tariff, how big your house is and how well it is insulated.
It’s important to take any draught excluder out when you are using your chimney, otherwise it is a fire hazard.
Chimney draught excluders can be fitted inside the chimney or around the fireplace – prices start around £20, EST said.
Or, you could buy a chimney cap – this can be expensive at £150, but it provides better insulation.
How else to save money on your bills
A cheap way of putting on the heating is by only turning the radiators on in the rooms you are using.
How much you can save varies on a number of factors, such as how big your house is and what energy tariff you are on, for example.
But savvy saver Scott Dixon told The Sun he’s saved £490 from just turning the heating on in his lounge.
A classic money saving energy bill trick is to turn your thermostat down by one degree.
This can shave as much as £100 off your bill.
Putting foil behind your radiator could save you £20 a year, according to British Gas engineer Joanna Flowers.
Hot air will be reflected and circulated around the room.
You can also apply for financial assistance to help pay your bills.
Energy suppliers offer cash grants to those hardest hit by bills rises.
The British Gas hardship fund can give you up to £1,500 free cash towards bills.
You can get £150 off your energy bills with the Warm Home Discount scheme.
While when temperatures plummet, those in low income households can get a £25 Cold Weather payment.
The Household Support Fund is run by individual councils, and you can apply for £300 in free cash for bills.
If you’re worried about falling behind on bills or if you’re in debt. there are plenty of organisations where you can get free advice, including:
