Many Brits look for ways to save money on bills at this time of year (Image: Getty Images)
With energy costs soaring and winter kicking in, it’s important to understand how you can save money on the cost of .
Looking for ‘hacks’ online can often lead to misinformation and experts say too many Brits are getting confused with what will save them money, and what won’t.
“A lot of people have misplaced ideas about heating, which might be making their homes less energy and cost-efficient to heat,” says Llewellyn Kinch, an energy expert and CEO at .
“The issue often becomes more prevalent during winter, when heat is provided at a necessary premium and households desperately look for any way to cut down on their bills.”
According to Llwewellyn, consumers need to approach online energy-saving advice with caution and always fact-check before making any changes to their heating habits.
Llewellyn has issued advice on some common myths about in the depths of winter.
Cranking up the thermostat heats the home faster
For most systems, this only sets the final higher and risks you overheating your home.
“Since these systems work at a constant rate, you can do nothing to make the process faster, so only set the thermostat to the desired temperature,” says Llewellyn.
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Experts say Brits can lose money due to misinformation on the best ways to save money in winter (Image: Getty Images)
It’s cheaper to leave the heating on low all day than to turn it on and off
Modern reach the desired temperature relatively quickly, so there’s no need to leave your heating on all day.
In fact, doing this can lead to excess energy usage and overheating your home.
Electric heaters are more efficient than central heating
These are effective for heating small spaces that need additional warmth, so they can be great if you only need to heat one room of a large house or if you need to provide bursts of extra warmth.
“However, they’ll cost more if used as the primary heat source,” warns Llewellyn.
The thought of keeping your home warm in winter can be stressful when thinking about costs (Image: Getty Images)
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Heat is only lost through windows and doors
While heat can be lost this way, other primary culprits include , unsealed gaps, and insufficient weather stripping.
Therefore, when seeking to make energy and heat-saving home improvements, you should address all of these areas.
“Windows and doors are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to efficiently sealing your home. Heat can be lost in many ways, so be sure to evaluate your entire space and not just windows and doors,” adds Llewellyn.
Ceiling fans are only useful in the summer
Fans only move air around; they do not control the temperature. A lot of people don’t realise they spin in both directions – and that spin direction impacts how the fan circulates cold and hot air.
“During the , set the fan to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This creates a gentle updraft, drawing cooler air from below upward, and pushing the warm air that has risen to the ceiling gently down into the room. This makes sure none of that warmth is wasted,” explains Llewellyn.