Cut your heating bill
No scams just obvious stuff that might save a bit off your bill if you don’t already do them.
Most of the heat in your house is lost to draughts so bung them up – draught proofing strips, cheap from the DIY, will stop much of it. As well as windows and doors, look for other draughty gaps such as in timber floors or where pipes come through.
Unless you are lucky enough to have double glazing then that thin plastic stuff you can hair dryer onto windows does actually work. It’s worth doing it properly, drying the window first etc, and it should last one winter.
Don’t block off air vents if you have gas or you’ll get gassed which is worse than getting cold. If you’re blocking up unused fireplaces leave a vent grill or it will get damp. Also leave a bit of ventilation in your home to stop condensation
If you have radiators under windows don’t let your curtains hang over them. Also, any radiators against outside walls can be made more effective by sticking reflective tin foil behind them. The proper stuff can be got from that DIY
Gas is generally cheaper than electric so if you’ve got a gas oven and electric heating, having the oven on low should keep the chill off the rest of your home
Pull out your fridge occasionally and dust the coils at the back, it won’t use so much power to keep the inside cool. If you are lucky enough to have a freezer do the same with that. Also, if you did not already know, keeping your freezer full means it uses less power. Cheap bread will do, or plastic boxes full of paper, it doesn’t have to be half a cow- just fill up the air space.
If you are on a low income your council might have various schemes for grants such as towards loft insulation or double glazing- ask them and look for leaflets at their offices
Also try Energy Action Grants Agency 0800 181 667, they allocate government grants.
Energy Efficiency Advice Centres may also help 0800 512 012
This article came from issue 2 of Now or Never To get a copy of issue 2 check out the Shop |
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