The end of the year can be expensive, which is why it is important look at ways to save money. Here is a money-saving checklist for Winter…
Winter can be an expensive time of year. Not only is this when we spend money on gifts to give at Christmas, but it’s also when the gas and electric bills start to go up – especially when we’re spending more time at home. Along with the fact that the colder winter weather can cause problems with our cars and in our homes, it can certainly be a worry.
This is why it’s useful to have a money-saving checklist for the winter. Read through it and you’ll see that, with a little forward planning, you can keep your bills down at this time of year; as much as possible anyway. Read on to find out more.
Get Your Boiler Serviced
Although most of the problems that you may have to contend with in your home will be manageable, even if they leave you out of pocket or uncomfortable, a broken-down boiler is something that really can’t be left until you have some more cash. Without your boiler working in the way it’s meant to, you’ll have no heating or hot water in the coldest of months. This is why it’s a good idea to have your boiler serviced annually, and the best time to do it is just before the cold weather starts. You’ll know that it’s working at its very best and will see you through winter if you do this (although it’s a popular idea, so you might need to book it well in advance).
If your boiler needs to be replaced, search around for quotes for a Worcester boiler install as you might be able to save money this way. Don’t go too cheap, though, as a more expensive boiler will last much longer than a cheaper one.
Switch Energy Suppliers
It used to be hard to find new energy suppliers. Many years ago, there were only one or two to choose from, and then, as more emerged, it was still a struggle to change because you would have to call each supplier and do the hard work yourself.
Today, however, there is no excuse for not switching to a cheaper supplier. You can use specialist websites that will compare your current payments to a range of other suppliers, and if you find one that is cheaper than your current one, and it is a like for like service, you can switch online without having to speak to anyone; the hard work is done for you.
By switching regularly, or at least checking that you’re not paying too much for your services, you can ensure that you’re always saving money.
Everyday Energy Tips
There are also several useful energy tips that you can implement daily, and that will, over time, save you a great deal of money. One of these is to wear layers instead of turning the heating up. Of course, we’re not saying not to use your heating at all – you’ll need to as the temperature drops – but if you can have it a few degrees lower than usual and add a t-shirt under your jumper for extra warmth, you can save a lot of money.
You can also use a smart thermostat or a timer so that you only heat your home when you need to. If you go out to work each day, heating your home for an hour in the morning before you get up is a great idea, for example.
Other ideas include:
- Doing your laundry at a lower temperature
- Not leaving any devices on standby
- Not heating rooms you’re not using
- Using draught excluders
