THE WARM weather is clinging on, but in case you’re planning ahead an expert has revealed the exact date you should turn your heating on this autumn.
Energy bills for the average household on a dual-fuel tariff currently sit at £2,074 and are expected to fall to £1,923 from October 1.
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They are significantly higher than the same time two years ago, when they were £1,277 for those paying by direct debit.
Of course, what you are paying for your energy bills now will vary depending on your usage.
The price cap is just what the average household is paying.
Higher energy costs means households are feeling the pinch, combined with high inflation, which sat at 6.8% in July.
But there are ways to save money, particularly on your energy bills – including when you turn your heating on.
And when you should do that is October 29, according to Andy Kerr.
The founder of boiler experts BOXT said as temperatures start to drop you might be tempted to switch on now.
But, it’s worth waiting until later in the autumn and saving some money in the process.
He said: “Experts recommend turning on your central heating on around October 29, as this is when daylight saving time ends and temperatures begin to fall.
“But we always advise keeping your thermostat at a minimum of 10 degrees to protect your pipes from freezing.
“Frozen pipes not only stop your heating from working properly, but can lead to costly complications, including burst pipes and plumber call-out fees, and it is ideal to ensure your heating system works reliably before the really cold weather arrives.”
Of course, if you have any health conditions or an illness which might be made worse by having the heating off, it’s worth turning it on earlier.
How else to save money on energy bills
It’s not just waiting to put your heating on that will save you money this winter.
There’s countless ways you can cut back on costs and make your budget stretch further, Andy said. Here’s just a few:
Get your boiler serviced
An inefficient boiler can see your heating bill spike as it has to work harder to raise the temperature inside your home.
So you should get it serviced every 12 months to ensure it’s working smoothly.
Not only this, but following a manufacturer’s boiler service schedule will keep it in warranty.
That means if your boiler needs repairs they’ll be covered by the manufacturer.
A boiler service costs around £80 to £125 which can seem like a fair bit to fork out.
But the cost of replacing one is around £3,000, according to Checkatrade – not a situation you want to find yourself in.
Turn your thermostat down by 1°C
Andy said the typical heating range in households across the UK is between 18-21°c during the colder months.
But turning your heating down by just one degrees can slash your heating bill by 10%.
So if you regularly keep yours at 20°C, why not take it down to 19°C and see how much you can save.
As an example, if you usually spend £400 on your heating between October and February, you could save £40 by dialling down one degree.
Bleed your radiators
Bleeding your radiators removes trapped air inside which can create cold spots and stop them from working efficiently.
A less efficient heating system means your boiler has to work harder and you spend more money than you need to.
Bleeding your radiators is a fairly simple process – you just need a radiator key and some old clothes or sheets to catch any water that comes out.
Experts say you should do it about once a year, but remember to not do it when the boiler is on as you may risk scalding yourself.
What other help you can get with your bills
On top of saving on your energy bills, you can get direct support too.
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was set up by Government and the latest tranche is worth £842million.
The pot of money has been distributed among councils in England who are then allocating their share to residents in need.
That means what help you can get is a bit of a postcode lottery. But, in most cases, help is offered to those on benefits or a low income.
Councils are offering support in different ways too, some are offering direct bank transfers while others are distributing energy vouchers.
You should get in touch with your council to see what help is available.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
Meanwhile, a number of energy firms offer grants to customers who are struggling to pay for their bills.
British Gas has its Energy Trust Support Fund, while EDF has its Customer Support Fund.
You should get in touch with your provider to see what help is available.
But bear in mind, you have to meet certain criteria to get help.
For example, British Gas customers can only apply if they live in England, Wales or Scotland and have received help from a money advice agency.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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