How to save energy this winter

Stay warm

• Wrap up
  Before you rush to turn the central heating up, throw another layer of clothes on. Lots of layers are better than one thick one; invest in some thermal clothes and pop on a pair of fingerless gloves around the house. Snuggle up under fleece blankets on sofas and chairs.
• Thermostats
  Take advantage of timers; set your heating to come on for a couple of hours in the morning and evening so you can arrive home to a warm house. Save energy by keeping the thermostat between 18 degrees celsius and 21 degrees celsius where possible.
• Mind your meters
  Take gas and electric readings at the same time each week and input them into imeasure. This clever little site will let you see how much energy you're consuming, as well as how it compares with other people's houses; the perfect incentive to cut back!
• Hot water bottles
  Hot water bottles will help to keep your toes toasty; pop them between the sheets about ten minutes before you go to bed and they’ll make things lovely and warm.

Keep draughts out

• Put up curtains
  Keep the cold at bay by hanging heavy lined curtains at front and back doors. You don’t have to spend a fortune either; check out your local charity shops for cheap curtains.
• Cover keyholes
  For a quick fix, cover up keyholes with fridge magnets to keep out chilly breezes.
• Draught excluder
  Use draught excluders at the bottom of doors to keep out those icy winter breezes.

Make your own draught excluder

If you don’t already have a draught excluder, why not whip one up? They’re easy to make and can be used all year round. You'll need:

• An old pillowcase
• Old clothes for stuffing (socks, trousers, sweatshirts etc.)
• Needle and thread (or fabric glue)

Instructions

1. Cut up the old clothes; smaller pieces will be more effective at keeping draughts out.
2. Lay the pillow case flat.
3. Line up the stuffing inside the longest edge of the pillowcase.
4. Roll up the pillowcase. It should look like a sausage…
5. Stitch or glue the open end to stop everything from falling out, then stitch along the length to finish off. For an even faster fix, just sew a load of stitches every four inches or so.

If you're all thumbs with a needle and thread then don't despair, a pair of old tights filled with crumpled newspaper will do the job too!

Switch energy provider

Energy suppliers are constantly changing their prices to stay competitive, so consider switching your gas or electricity provider to save energy.

• Shop around
  Before switching energy provider, compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Even if you’ve switched provider in the last year or two, there’s still a chance you’ll be able to save money.
• Rental properties
  If you're living in a rental property, make sure you check with your landlord to see if you're allowed to switch supplier before making any decisions. If you're tied to one provider, it’s worth checking whether you're able to switch to a cheaper tariff or payment method.
• Understanding energy tariffs
  It's important to make sure you understand all of the different types of energy tariff before making a decision. If you need some help, take a look at the Which? guide to understanding energy tariffs.

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