Cost of Living

Check your meter

If you have a gas boiler - you should have a ‘single rate meter’ where using energy costs you the same regardless of the time of day.  This is the most cost-effective way to run a gas-fired boiler so if you’re not on a single rate meter, ask to change it.

For the small number of our properties that have electrical storage heaters you should be on a dual rate meter, as you will benefit from much-reduced electricity rates during the night.

 

Check your tariff

In normal times, comparing energy suppliers and switching to a new supplier is often advisable, however current advice while the market is in crisis is that there are no meaningful savings to be made for the majority of people cheaper than the price cap, so you are best to sit tight with your current provider at the present time.

However, your existing energy supplier is required to provide you with details of different tariffs that they offer if asked, some of which may be cheaper than what you are currently paying.  A quick phone call to your supplier will let you know if you’re on the best possible deal and if not, you can ask them to talk you through the alternatives and opt to change to a better tariff with them if you want to.

 

Check your thermostat settings

The thermostat for your central heating system is used to control the heating in your home. Depending on your needs, you can set your thermostat to a preferred temperature and if your home’s temperature drops below your chosen ideal temperature, your thermostat will switch the heating on to warm it up.  When your temperature has reached the desired point, the thermostat will then turn the heating off to prevent overheating and wasted energy.

An excessive heating bill can be reduced with the ‘step-down’ challenge. By turning your thermostat down by just 1°C, you can save up to 10% on your heating bill. The typical heating range is between 18- 21°C… so why don’t you see how low you can go?

It is also important to avoid the classic mistake many people make with their thermostat.  Contrary to popular belief, turning up your thermostat does NOT heat up your room quicker.  This method will only send your energy bills skyrocketing.

Advice is very mixed when it comes to the pros and cons of turning off heating altogether, or in certain rooms that have little or no use – but the health of yourself and anyone else living in your home should be a major factor if you’re considering your options at the moment.

Some people maintain that it costs more to re-heat a home from scratch if it’s been left to get cold with the heating off, than it is to keep it at a regular ambient temperature throughout the home – whereas other sources claim it is fine to turn off heating altogether for a period of time.  Some also argue that if you leave heating off in a particular room and close the door, the cold air may seep into surrounding rooms where the radiators then need to work even harder to maintain the ambient temperature, in contrast others promote this as a useful way of reducing heating costs.

Unfortunately, there are no definitive answers to these queries and we acknowledge that during this cost of living crisis, some people are having to make difficult decisions about what costs to prioritise and we have to face the uncomfortable truth that some of you may be considering turning off heating this winter, to some extent, due to financial concerns.

If you are facing this difficult choice yourself, we would urge you to consider the importance of keeping your home warm to avoid health problems, especially for certain groups of people.

 

The effects of cold homes on our health

The cold thickens blood and increases blood pressure - and breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections.  So it’s all the more important to ensure your home and the homes of people you look out for are the right temperature.

Ideally you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18 °C.  This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. Having room temperatures slightly over 18 °C could be good for your health.

If you are under the age of 65, active and wearing appropriate clothing, you may wish to keep your home at a comfortable temperature even if it is slightly lower than 18°C.

Overnight, people who are 65 and over or who have pre-existing health conditions may find bedroom temperatures of at least 18 °C are good for their health; this may be less important if you are a healthy adult under 65 and have appropriate clothing and bedding.  

It is important to keep your bedroom window closed at night when the weather is cold.

 

Keeping the heat in

There are some simple steps you can take to keep heat inside your home:

• Keep external doors and windows closed as much as possible, but open trickle vents if you have them to aid ventilation
• Fit draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors.  A simple draught excluder can prevent draughts coming in through gaps at the bottom of internal doors, even an old jumper or blanket will do the trick!
• Draw your curtains at dusk to help keep the heat generated inside your rooms.
• Make sure that your radiators are not obstructed by curtains or furniture.

 

Condensation, damp and mould

During the colder months, one of the most common issues that is raised to our repairs team is condensation, damp and mould in a property.  This affects almost every household across the country and is a natural consequence of moisture in the air finding its way to the coldest areas and condensing when it hits a surface, normally windows or walls.

You can minimise condensation by following these simple tips:

• Open trickle vents in your windows if you have them to aid air flow through the property. 
• When having a shower or bath, close the bathroom door and open a window to allow moisture to escape.
• Use an extractor fan while cooking on the hob, or open a fanlight window in the kitchen.
• When drying clothes at home, only do so in rooms that are well ventilated and consider investing in a dehumidifier

However, you will be hard pushed to stop condensation completely so your best bet is to keep on top of it by wiping it off surfaces as soon as you notice it, to help prevent the build up of condensation developing mould or sparking a more intrusive damp problem.

 

Further Energy Saving Advice…

The Sureserve Foundation are able to offer advice and guidance to help individuals tackle the challenges of energy efficiency and fuel poverty: www.thesureservefoundation.org/advice-and-guidance

To find out more about energy efficiency visit www.gov.uk/energy-grants-calculator or phone the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.

You can also find out more about support from Government, including support with energy bills and household costs this winter, on the government webpage www.helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk

We think this page by the SureServe Foundation is extremely helpful as it offers advice on a wide range of topics including...

• Heating your home
• Making your home energy efficient
• Saving water in your home
• Support available for bills

Click the link to read through the wealth of advice on offer: Advice & Guidance | The Sureserve Foundation