Millions of British households face higher energy costs from today as Ofgem's price cap has increased, but experts say families could potentially cut their bills by at least £560 through a combination of efficiency measures.
Research from heating specialists BOXT reveals that nearly half of Britons (48 per cent) are planning to forgo heating entirely this winter to cut bills, but they may not have to.
Some 73 per cent of respondents identified reducing heating costs as their top priority this season, underscoring the ongoing strain from rising living expenses.
Customers with major suppliers such as British Gas, OVO energy, EDF, and Octopus Energy are urged to consider these simple switches which could help save on bills.
Adam Knight, Lead Engineer at BOXT said: "People are understandably looking for ways to save money on energy and keep their homes warm.
"But cutting back on heating can lead to issues like respiratory problems and increased risk of illness. That's why it's crucial to focus on safer, more effective ways to improve your home's energy efficiency rather than relying on quick fixes."
One simple way to cut heating costs is to heat only the rooms you are using, rather than the whole home. Using zoned heating or a programmable thermostat can help, with potential savings of up to £174 a year.
"Smart thermostats allow you to control your heating from your phone and help homeowners to closely track their energy use and show how energy use varies at different times," Mr Knight adds. "That kind of control adds up to real savings over time."
Another way to control heating costs is by fitting thermostatic radiator valves, which let you set different temperatures in each room. Upgrading an old G-rated boiler to a modern A-rated model can deliver some of the biggest savings.
Analysis using typical energy use figures shows detached homes could save up to £569 a year, semi-detached houses around £361, and bungalows up to £315. Households in mid-terrace homes could save about £295 annually, while flat owners might see savings of roughly £131.
The energy price cap increased on Jan 1
| GETTYFor homes with gas boilers, a simple way to cut costs is to adjust the boiler’s flow temperature, which controls how hot the water is when it reaches your radiators.
An Octopus Energy spokesperson says many boilers are set too high by default.
Lowering the flow temperature to between 55 and 60°C can still keep homes warm while cutting energy use by around 12 per cent. That could save roughly £65 a year, according to Nesta.
Small changes to how you use your thermostat can also make a noticeable difference to household bills.
Small changes to how you use the thermostat can also make a noticeable difference to household bills
| GETTYThe spokesperson also advises against using the thermostat as a boost button, as this forces the system to work harder when reheating spaces.
Maintaining a steady temperature between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius proves more efficient, while dropping the setting by just one degree could yield savings of up to £145 per year.
Anthony Mellor at Swinton Home Insurance highlights that minor behavioural adjustments accumulate over time.
Switching off appliances at the plug instead of leaving them on standby saves up to £45 annually, according to The Energy Savings Trust.
LED bulbs consume up to 90 per cent less energy than traditional halogen alternatives
| PAInstalling a water-efficient showerhead could reduce costs by £25 yearly, while keeping showers to four minutes saves another £45.
LED bulbs consume up to 90 per cent less energy than traditional halogen alternatives.
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