Save More This Winter

Thanks to the cost of living rising exponentially at the moment, we’re all collectively looking to tighten our purse strings. With rising energy bills, festive shopping, and unexpected seasonal expenses piling up, managing finances and understanding how to save money in the winter is important. If you’re looking for some small but effective ways you can spend less and save cash, we’re here to help with practical winter saving tips to ease the pinch.

Insulation

Installing insulation is an effective way of keeping your home warm and saving money on your energy bills by reducing heat loss. There are a few different types of insulation depending on the type of home you have.

• Cavity wall insulation: this is where an installer injects insulation material into the cavity from the outside.
• Solid wall insulation: if your walls aren’t cavity walls, then there are different ways to install solid wall insulation.
• Floor insulation: if you have a suspended timber ground floor, you can install insulation material to reduce heat loss.
• Roof and loft insulation: if your home is uninsulated, you could be losing around 25% of heat through your roof. Roof and loft insulation can help reduce this.

Draught proof windows and doors 

This is a simple and cheap fix to keep heat from escaping your home. Draught-proofing involves blocking unwanted gaps to keep warm air in your home and cold air out. Many homes can benefit from draught proofing. If you draught-proof your windows and doors, you can potentially save up to £40 a year.

Set heating controls  

Your heating controls play an essential part when it comes to heating your home during winter. Firstly, make use of a timer. A timer lets you set the time you want your heating to come on and go off. This helps you heat your home when you need it and avoid wasting energy when it’s not needed. For example, you can set your heating to come in early in the morning ready for when you get up. You can then set it to go off when you’re out of the house. Then if you team this up with a thermostat, you can automatically turn the heating off when it reaches a certain temperature. The NHS recommends heating your home to at least 18°c. If your thermostat is set any higher, consider reducing the temperature to save money. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that lowering your heating by just one degree could save you as much as £75 a year. 

Bleed your radiators 

If the top of your radiator is cold while the bottom is hot, you’re not getting your money’s worth. Trapped air prevents the hot water from circulating properly, wasting energy and money. To bleed, get a radiator key and a cloth. Turn the heating off, wait for the radiators to cool, and gently turn the valve until you hear a hiss of escaping air. Close the valve as soon as water starts to dribble out. You can also switch them off completely in rooms that you don’t need to heat, saving more money again. 

Heat the person not the whole house 

Invest in a couple of good quality electric blankets for the sofa or bedroom or rely on the classic hot water bottle. These are significantly cheaper to run than firing up the entire central heating system for hours. 

Save on food 

Creating a shopping list can help you stay focused and potentially reduce your spending. Visiting your local supermarket when they're likely to be reducing prices could also help keep costs down. At this time of year, supermarkets often overstock on seasonal items to avoid running out, leading to plenty of bargains. When making a meal, bulk it out and make extra or batch cook and stock up the freezer. 

Check subscriptions 

Take stock during the festive fortnight to look at all your outgoings and make sure you're paying for products and services you actually use. If you have multiple streaming subscriptions, make sure you're getting value for your money and cancel the ones you rarely watch.

Check for government support schemes 

This is perhaps the biggest way to save money in winter, and many eligible people miss it. Make sure you check for government support schemes intended to help with heating costs. These include:

• The Warm Home Discount Scheme: A one-off discount on your electricity bill for those on low incomes or certain benefits.
• Winter Fuel Payment: An annual tax-free payment for people born on or before a specific date (check the current year’s requirements).
• Cold Weather Payment: Paid out if the average temperature in your area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.

Lots of small little changes build up to some big savings 

Opting for a quick shower instead of a bath could save approximately 70 litres of water each time. Washing clothes at 30 degrees can also cut down on electricity usage. Additionally, turning off appliances on standby before leaving for work or going to bed can help. Checking your car before a journey and making sure the oil, coolant, water and tyre pressure are all accurate can save any unexpected and hefty car bills. 

Keep in mind that it’s often the little things and the small consistent changes that can add up over time and result in some serious savings.