Expert Reveals: How to save money on bills for a more financially free New Year
Although the New Year is now in full swing, temperatures across the country have dropped, and the thought of how much you might spend on bills during these colder months can be overwhelming and scary, especially after a pricey Christmas.
This is why experts at Howden Insurance have revealed their top tips on how to cut back on your household bills over the colder months whilst remaining warm and safe whilst on the roads.
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.
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 in these typically icy conditions, 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.
De-ice your windows, windscreen and wipers
It is particular common in colder temperatures for cars to blow a fuse when their wipers are frozen to the windscreen, this can cause you to be caught up in a breakdown before you have even left your drive.
You can prevent having to scrape off ice from your vehicle by placing a sheet over your car the night before.
Keep your pan lids on while cooking
Having a warm and hearty meal at the end of a long day should be something to look forward to. So, 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.
Check if you are eligible for any Cold-weather payments
With temperatures plummeting, there a several cold-winter payments that you might be unaware of and eligible to receive. They all require you to meet criteria specific to each kind of payment, so when researching, make sure you check those requirements.
There are winter fuel payments available for the elderly which if they are eligible, could get them up to £600, depending on their circumstances, alongside energy grants, fuel vouchers, household support funds and discount schemes available so make sure to check out the government’s website.
Here are a few more money-saving tips to take into the New Year:
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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 outside lighting 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.
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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.
– Reduce costly breakdowns and accidents by checking tyre tread depth
In the UK the minimum legal depth of tread is 1.6mm however, in colder conditions, it is recommended to be above 3mm.
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