16/11/2011 Five top tips for saving money this winter

This winter is set to be another cold one, with temperatures forecast to plummet to well below zero across the country at the start of 2012. Low temperatures, combined with rising gas and electricity prices, mean that more homeowners are looking at ways to save money on their heating bills. Here are our top 5 tips:

Insulation

This is still one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss in your home. The best way to find out whether your home is adequately insulated is to check to see if there is any insulation in the loft. If there isn’t, then make sure you get some fitted as the Energy Saving Trust estimate that insulating an un-insulated loft could save you around £175 a year and reduce your carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions too.

Switch to low energy lightbulbs

This is a really easy step and they last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, using one could, according to the The Energy Saving Trust, save you around £55 per year.

Air Tightness

Any cold air coming through draughts and cracks in your home is displacing warm air you've just paid for. Improving the air tightness of your home could save you hundreds of pounds annually. Air tightness is basically covering up leakage points in your home so the cold air can't get in. Drop methods such as trickle vents and open fires in favour of a Heat Recovery Ventilation System and tripled glazed windows.

Turn down your thermostat

Even turning down your thermostat by a barely noticeable 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent and typically save you around £60 per year. Also, if you have a programmer, set your heating and hot water to come on only when required rather than all the time.

Check your windows

It doesn’t get much simpler than this, but closing curtains is really effective and acts as another barrier to prevent heat escaping. If you do still feel a draught, it might be time to consider replacing your windows for modern, energy efficient alternatives.