5 ways to save on your energy bills winter 2023 

As winter approaches and the temperature drops, many of us are bracing ourselves for higher energy bills. If you are looking for more ways to save on your energy bills this year, then we have got you covered.

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• 2023 Bills – What We Know So Far.
• How to Save Energy In Your Home.
• Where you’re going wrong with your appliances…
• Did you know this about insulation?
• Draught Proofing Tips worth shouting about.
• Have you done this with your boiler?
• Hot water hacks!
• More Ways to Save.

As winter approaches and the temperature drops, many of us are bracing ourselves for higher energy bills. After last year, with energy prices were at an all-time high and a cost of living crisis to contend with, you may be left wondering what to expect from your energy bills this winter 2023.  

But don’t worry. There are many ways that you can save on your energy bills, from the use of modern technology to handy hacks and tips, you may be surprised at the money you can save. With that in mind, here are our top 5 ways to save on your energy bills in winter 2023.  

Energy bills winter 2023 – What do we know so far?  

We all know how much more expensive household energy was last year in the UK. Energy prices were at a record high, and with energy price cap last winter, many of us found our energy bills were more expensive than ever before. This is why the government provided energy bill support through The Energy Bills Discount Scheme in place to give every household a £400 discount on their gas and electricity energy bills for winter 2022 to 2023. While this discount was automatic, it ended in March 2023.  

So, what do we know about the support available for energy bills in winter 2023?

While there is no indication that the government will be providing every household with a discount this year, energy regulator Ofgem announced a further reduction earlier this year in the energy price guarantee for October to December 2023. This instils a charge per unit that all energy suppliers can charge for units of gas and electricity.  

This is expected to save the typical household £151 on the previous quarter and will bring the typical dual-fuel energy bill to below £2000 for the first time since April 2022.  

But just because things are looking brighter when it comes to the price of energy, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t save energy where you can. Remember, the more energy you can save, the more money you can keep in your pocket!  

How to save energy in your home  

1.     Use appliances efficiently 

Many of us can’t live without the mod cons of domestic life. From washing machines to dryers and even our TVs and laptops. But it is important to remember that some appliances are more expensive to run than others. For example, condenser tumble dryers and American-style big fridge freezers are pricey to run, and research suggests they could cost an average household £120 per year in electricity. But by using your different appliances more efficiently, you could save considerably. 

For example, by washing your clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 degrees, you could cut costs by 38%. Similarly, you should turn on eco-settings on any appliances that have it. This is kinder to the planet, your energy bills and your wallet.  

If you have a dishwasher, then we would also recommend that you load it as efficiently as possible. Make sure that you only put it on when it is full and properly stacked to ensure you wash dishes as efficiently as possible. These small changes can make a huge difference!  

2.     Insulate, insulate, insulate  

While it is predicted that energy prices will drop over the next few months, you will likely still be paying more money for your energy bills than you were a few years ago. Therefore, it is important that you add insulation to your house wherever possible. This will help to keep your home warmer and get the most out of your energy.  

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to boost your home’s insulation is to insulate your loft. It doesn’t cost a lot to do, and you can even fit it yourself if you feel confident. But even if you decide to get the professionals in to do it, you can save up to £285 a year in a semi-detached house. Plus, you’ll be a whole lot warmer!  

3.     Don’t forget about draught proofing 

Unfortunately, most homes have draughts. Whether you live in an old property or a new build, you will find those pesky places that bring cold into your house. But stopping heat escapes through gaps can also help you to save on your energy bills this winter 2023. Not to mention that by removing those draughty chills, you can feel more cosy when relaxing on a cold winter evening.  

If you’re looking to draught-proof your home, then we’d recommend that you start with your windows, doors, floorboards, loft hatches and chimney/fireplaces. From draught excluders to draught-foam strips to retain heat, you’ll be surprised at the difference draught-proofing your home can make- to your bills and your cosiness.  

4.     Get your boiler serviced  

In most cases, our boilers get used heavily in the winter and then hardly touched during the warmer summer months. However, this isn’t how to use your boiler efficiently and could be making your home more expensive to heat during the colder months.  

Instead, while your boiler isn’t working as hard, this is a great time to do any servicing and maintenance work that it needs. Get a professional around to check that it is working as it should and remember that sorting any issues it has sooner means that you could avoid bigger (and more expensive) problems further down the line.  

We would also recommend upgrading any old boilers to a new A-rated condensing one when needed as they feature a programmer and room thermostat, giving you more control over how you heat your home. This could save you up to £600 year if you live in a detached house.  

5.     Use less hot water  

While you likely only use your heating during the winter months, remember that you still use energy all year round to heat your water. This has a huge impact on how much your energy bills cost you. Therefore, you should try to use less hot water as possible.  

A few simple changes can make a huge difference, such as swapping to an eco-shower head. This won’t reduce how powerful your shower feels, but it will cut down on how much hot water you’re using.  

Another top tip is to avoid washing up under a running tap. Instead, try to use the bowl or sink to wash your dishes instead. While this may only sound like a small change, you may be surprised by how much hot water you are waiting by leaving the tap running.  

With these top tips and suggestions, you can make the big and small changes required to save on your energy bills in winter 2023!  

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