There are many things you can do to make a difference immediately which may help you take small, or even giant, strides to get out of the fuel poverty trap.
In addition to consciously using less energy in the home (which we will come to) let’s focus on saving the energy already being used.
And in that respect two of the most important energy-saving measures are insulation – which we will also discuss more fully later – and draught-proofing.
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy – and money – in any building.
In basic terms to draught-proof your home, you should block up unwanted gaps that let cold air in and warm air out. Saving warm air means you’ll use less energy to heat your home, so you’ll save money as well as making your home warm.
Draught-proofing around windows – and if you have an open chimney, draught-proofing your chimney when you’re not using it – can lead to not insignificant savings each year.
Draught-free homes are comfortable at lower temperatures – so you may be able to turn down your thermostat, saving even more on your energy bills.
Make sure your boiler settings are correct and not set too high. Turning down the thermostat even by one or two degrees can make a huge difference.
Check the thermostat settings on your hot water tank as well as your boiler – the ideal temperature is 60 to 65 degrees for central heating systems and 55 to 60 degrees for hot water.
If you have a combi boiler, lower the flow temperature to 60 degrees and you could save between 6-8% on your gas bill, according to a report by the Heating and Hot Water Council last year.
Balance your radiators to make sure there’s an even distribution of heated water making its way to each of the radiators in your house.
When you’re cooking try batch cooking – cooking in bulk in the oven – or cook several different things at the same time, and reheat later in the more energy efficient microwave. This can save you money both in terms of the energy you use and the food you buy. Cook several things – for example different vegetables – in one pot too, at the same time. And boiling water in the kettle is cheaper than on the stove.
Draught-proofing external doors can stop a lot of heat from escaping, and won’t cost you much. There are four main areas on your front door to consider draught-proofing:
• Letterbox – use a letterbox flap or brush, but remember to measure your letterbox before you buy.
• Gap at the bottom – use a brush or hinged flap draught excluder.
• Gaps around the edges – fit foam, brush or wiper strips like those used for windows.
• Keyhole – buy a purpose-made cover that drops a metal disc over the keyhole.
DIY APPROACH
1. Installing a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves (and using them efficiently) can help save money.
2. Seal the gaps between floors and skirting boards to reduce draughts with an inexpensive tube of sealant bought from a DIY store. (Be careful not to block up any building ventilation)
3. Insulate your water tank, so you spend less money heating water up, and hot water stays hotter for longer. You can also buy an easily-fitted hot water cylinder jacket very cheaply to insulate your hot water tank from a DIY store.
4. Place rugs or fit carpets on the floor – this will help your feet feel warmer, meaning you won’t feel the need to have the heating on as much.
5. Pipes can be insulated using foam tubes that cover the exposed pipes between your hot water tank and boiler. Choose the correct size from a DIY store and then slip it around the pipes.
6. Adding reflector panels behind your radiator is a low-cost option that could reduce your energy consumption. Fixed behind radiators, these panels reflect heat from the radiator back into the room, instead of letting the heat escape through an external wall.
7. Use heavy curtains - Curtains reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room. For keeping heat inside the home, high quality curtains can reduce heat loss by around 40%, particularly if they are floor length and close to the wall and window panes.
And generally, with regards to energy useage, if you haven’t fitted a smart meter consider doing so now. You can monitor easily the amount of energy you use and see at a glance exactly what is pushing your bill beyond what you can afford.