Even though the government has offered discounts on energy bills this winter, for many people this aid will not make enough of a difference. During a time when many people are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments, they find themselves having to prioritise expenses and cut costs wherever possible.
This article does not constitute advice. Professional advice should be taken prior to acting on any part of it. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.
Staying warm through the coldest time of the year is quite rightly a priority for all of us, so with the rising costs of fuel putting a strain on many households in the country, what can be done to lower the expenses associated with heating your home this winter?
Government support
Every household in the UK received a discount of £400 on their energy bills this October as part of a broader package designed to help combat soaring prices. The lowest income households also received an additional payment of £650 to help offset some of the increased costs of living. If your home happens to not be connected to standard gas and electricity contracts, for example those who use heating oil or who live on heat networks, you will receive an additional support payment of £100.
People in all socioeconomic classes are feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis, and despite this help, many families are finding it hard to make ends meet.
Heat to your needs
Like with many areas of the household, consider automation when it comes to heating to help control your costs. A smart control for your boiler can help you ensure you are only using the amount of energy necessary for your needs. And keeping your home warm isn’t just for comfort — it stops damp and mould before they can become a real issue.
Of course, having an updated, efficient system is optimal but if that isn’t possible, there are ways to help cut down on costs. Here are a few ways you can make your heating more efficient, and of course, save money.
Tips to heat your home for less:
- Service your boiler regularly to ensure it runs at peak efficiency and to help prevent any potential breakdowns
- Ensure your home is insulated as much as possible to reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature
- To prevent loss of heat, use draught excluders around windows and doors
- If your budget allows, consider installing double glazing to help significantly reduce heat loss
- To help reflect heat back into your room, use radiator reflectors being radiators
- Contain the heating to the rooms that you are using and use a thermostat to control the temperature and energy expenditure
- Utilise other heating avenues if available, such as wood burning stoves or solar panels
- Make sure everyone in the family is aware of and contributes to keeping the home energy efficient
- Ensure you are on the best energy tariff for your needs and that you are not paying more than you need to for your gas and electricity
Professional help when you need it most
Don’t let it come down to keeping up repayments on your home versus heating it instead, if you require further assistance to help figure out your financial priorities and put your plans into motion, get in touch with a financial adviser.
The experts at Dental & Medical Financial Services can help you with all areas of financial planning and are happy to provide guidance and advice no matter what your end goals are. Get in contact for a friendly chat.