With only two more weeks left until the big day, the countdown to Christmas has begun, and as your annual leave and time spent at home seems even more exciting, the thought of how much you might spend on bills during this period can be overwhelming and scary.
This is why experts at Howden Insurance have revealed their top tips on how to cut back on your bills over the Christmas period whilst being stress-free and warm during the festive season.
Put your heating on a timer
Typically, the most energy-efficient way to keep the costs down on your heating bill is to use a timer, which can help monitor your home’s heating system in each room when needed. You can take complete control over your home’s heating if you have a room thermostat or a smart heating system, as well as the ability to heat the specific rooms you are using for the exact amount of time you need them on. This will make sure you’re only heating up the specific room you plan on spending the day or the majority of your time in; for example, on Christmas Day, this is most likely to be your living room and or kitchen.
If you do not have a room thermostat or a smart heating system, the best times turn on your heating are during the morning hours, just before you get up, and turning it off an hour before you leave. Some believe it is cheaper to keep your heating running all day at a lower temperature, but this will cost you more as you are using a constant flow of energy.
Putting your heating on through a timer when you are out is also a great way to make sure your home is significantly warmer for when you return home for the day.
You should also avoid leaving the heating on overnight as this can cause your body to overheat and cause restlessness in the long run.
Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated
If you’re planning on driving home for Christmas, visiting family up and down the country or planning a festive road trip, you should ensure your tyres are fully and properly inflated.
When your tyres are under-inflated, they increase your vehicle’s drag, increasing fuel consumption. Driving with under-inflated tyres can also severely affect the longevity of your tyres, the steering and braking distances.
How to check your tyres?
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Most petrol stations have handy air machines which can identify the pressure in your tyres and inflate them.
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The type of vehicle you have will determine how much tyre pressure your car requires. You can check this either in your vehicle’s manual, driver’s door or petrol cap.
Keep your pan lids on while cooking
If you plan on cooking on Christmas Day or around the festive period, one thing that is bound to save you some pennies is keeping your pan lids on your pans while cooking.
By using your pan lids, you can save 10% on energy. You can lower your cooker hob settings and reduce your oven temperature to ensure your cooking times are the same. By leaving pan lids on, you are trapping heat which will allow you to cook your food faster and therefore, reduce the amount of time you are using energy in the kitchen.
Use your leftovers
The amount of food and drink wasted during the festive months is huge, and it is more important now, due to the cost-of-living crisis, than ever, that we make the most out of all the groceries we buy.
If you have plenty of food left over from shopping trips, research which leftover foods make hearty and nutritious meals. Think along the lines of soups and toasted sandwiches, which will keep you full and warm in these colder months.
Vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, carrots and onions make fantastic soups which if stored in the correct containers will last a lot longer than you may think. You also have the option of freezing your leftovers, things such as biscuits, traditional Lebkuchen, pies, vegetables, meats and various desserts will last for months in the freezer so make use.
Dedicate some time over Christmas to find other activities that don’t include TV
It is inevitable that over the Christmas period, you will spend more than a few hours cosied up in front of the TV. But, if you want to cut back on your electricity usage, why not swap watching a Christmas movie you have seen one hundred times for a fun board game or a festive puzzle? It is a great way to get in some quality family bonding time and have a break from the TV screen.
Here are a few more festive money-saving tips:
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Turn down your thermostat
When you have a large group of friends or family visiting, why not turn down the heat a few degrees, as much more heat is being generated naturally.
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Switch off your Christmas lights when you are out
When heading out for the evening or even going to bed, make sure you are switching off all your lights and appliances. This will help to reduce your home’s carbon emissions.
It is easy to get caught up in a neighbourly competition of a lights display on your home’s exterior, but in reality, going overboard will only cost you in the long run so just remember that the energy those lights are burning throughout the day and night might cost the same price as some extra Christmas presents.
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Air fryers are a great investment
If you have an airfryer this is also a fantastic way to save some cash. As air fryers tend to have much shorter cooking times than that of a conventional oven it will reduce the amount of energy you might use if using your oven.
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