Need Some Help Saving on Bills This Winter?
We’re going to clarify and debunk many a myth that emerges at this time of year when it’s starts to get cold. Our main aim is to bust those misconception, to keep utility bills at a low and affordable level.
Heating
Myth: Keep the heating on all day at a low temperature is more economical than turning it on and having to heat a cold house.
Fact: Your boiler will work for a much shorter time if it is only switched on when needed, therefore being better for the boiler and its parts and more importantly being cheaper to run. Using a timer set to a specific temperature is best as this will keep the house at a comfortable temperature by switching on and off to meet your requirements.
Washing
Myth: Running the washing machine at night will be more cost effective.
Fact: This would only be true if you have Economy 7 where the electricity you buy is cheaper at night than in the day. If you are on any other tariff there won’t be a difference.
Info: As for running appliances at night such as washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers, it is best not to. Simple fact is that you should have appliances like this switched on when you are up and about, to protect yourself if there should be a problem such as a fire. Never run when you are going to bed or out of the house.
Drying
Myth: Using a tumble dryer for clothes is better that turning the heating on to dry them.
Fact: Tumble dryers are expensive beasts to run so the best options are to get your washing done in time for it to be out on dryers when the heating is due to come on. Close the door to room, open a window slightly to allow some airflow and the damp air to escape rather than it filling the house. Better yet would be to get your washing done on a dry day, early in the morning so that it has the best of daylight hours to dry outdoors, and then hang indoors to air.
Myth: Just relying on the thermostatic control for temperature is better than altering the temperature at the individual radiator valves.
Fact: Using both methods is possibly the best option. Turning down the radiator valve will prevent the radiator pumping out loads of heat in the time before the ideal temperature has been met in the room and therefore on the thermostat. This means that the house/ rooms will be heating more gently and areas where perhaps not so much heat is needed will not be roasting and wasting your money.
Electrics
Myth: Turning lights on and off waste more electricity than just keeping them on.
Fact: The amount of electricity wastage may apparently be negligible it is still wiser to turn lights and appliances off when not in use. For one its a bad habit and the wrong message to give out but also to keep things switched on at all times brings the possibility of a fault occurring. Best be safe than sorry and turn things off at the plug.
Conclusion:
To keep your feet nice and toasty this year try and follow some of the above advice and always keep your eyes open for more ways to save, this cannot be more true than when you are looking to rent.
If you are renting, then the most ideal flat/ house will be one with a newer combi-boiler as this should be more efficient, look out for its rating an A-rated boiler will cost less to heat water than an older device.
Look at whether radiators have been painted, you can buy radiator paint but some may not have used it and instead used regular paint. Even so it is more economical for the radiators to emit heat if they don’t have loads of layers of paint. A newer central heating system is always going to be more cost effective than an older one.
Buy a nice blanket, this is by far the best way to stay warm…well perhaps there is the onesie. Either way, warm clothes to sit around reading and watching TV is the best way to stay comfy