By Rhea Bentley
With energy prices still high, many of us are feeling the impact — but there are small changes you can make at home that can help keep your bills down.
The Centre for Warmth team at New Wortley Community Centre are here to offer free, friendly advice on anything energy-related, whether that’s tips to save money on your bills or expert support with energy debt.
You can contact Rhea or Sarah via phone, text, e-mail or pop in to the centre and
come say hello!
Contact Sarah on 07707 777989 or Rhea on 07415 784063 or e-mail centreforwarmth@newwortleycc.org.
- Wash at 30°c – Washing at 30°c uses approximately 40% less electricity over
a year than washing at 40°c. - Draught proof your doors and windows – On average, a home loses 30% of its heat through draughts in doors and windows. Consider using draught proofing measures such as a door brush or door draught excluder. You can also use self-adhesive draught strips on your windows.
- Avoid using a tumble dryer – Tumble dryers are an expensive way to dry clothes. Try switching to a heated airer or a dehumidifier if this is an affordable option for you.
- Don’t lose heat to the walls! – Radiator reflector panels are a low-cost option to help keep heat in your home rather than losing it through the walls. They are simple to fit as they sit on your brackets behind the radiators so there’s no DIY experience necessary!
Remember – You only need to fit the reflector panels to external walls. - Send regular meter readings – If you do not have a smart meter in your home, send regular meter readings to your supplier, preferably around the same date each month. This will ensure that you are only paying for the energy you have used, rather than an estimate
- Check the insulation on your hot water cylinder – If you use a hot water cylinder, check the thickness of the insulation jacket. The recommended thickness is at least 80mm thick and costs as little as £20, adding extra foam insulation to the jacket can save you up to £40 a year.
- Check your thermostat – The ideal temperature for a healthy household is between 18-21°c Turning your thermostat down by one degree from 22 to 21 could save you up to £90 a year.
Sponsored content
