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Autumn is here, bringing with it cooler temperatures and bigger energy bills. The energy price cap increased by 10% on the 1 of October, and dual-fuel bills are now expected to cost a typical household an extra £149 per year.
For households debating when it is cold enough to put the heating on, here’s what to consider.
Heating your home will cost more for many this winter
Rising energy prices as we head into winter mean that bills will take up a bigger portion of our monthly budget. Two-thirds (66%) of people are more concerned about their energy bill compared to last year, according to energy supplier OVO. And this year, only those in receipt of pension credit will receive winter fuel payments – worrying for older people who had previously relied on that extra £200 or £300.
Despite the cost of energy falling from its peak in early 2023, 7% of households are in debt to their energy supplier. This figure doubles for households with children, according to Citizens Advice, which found that one in four people (25%) fear they will be forced to turn off their heating this winter because of the cost.
How cold should it be outside to turn on the heating?
Some people are more vulnerable to cold weather than others, but 18 degrees Celsius is the recommended minimum temperature for rooms you spend a lot of time in. You may need your home to be a few degrees warmer, depending on your age, your health and your level of activity.
If you’re over the age of 65, pregnant, or have a disability or long-term health condition, it’s particularly important that you keep warm for health reasons. Even if you’re not yet at retirement age, staying warm can help you fight off winter bugs.
57-year-old Sylvia Tillman lives alone in Ramsgate. She told NerdWallet, “I’m quite green and eco-conscious, so I’d rather put on another layer. But if I’m really, really cold, I will give in as my own health is more important.”
Rory Taylor, spokesperson for Energy UK, which represents energy providers, told NerdWallet: “We do not want anyone using less energy – whether that be their electricity or their gas – than they need to in order to keep their home at a reasonable temperature.”
Five Things To Check Before The Outside Temperature Drops
Do you have a smart meter?
If not, request one from your energy provider and ask for an in-home display (IHD). You won’t have to pay to upgrade to a smart meter and your IHD should come free when the smart meter is installed. Keeping an eye on how different appliances in your home impact the amount of energy you use each day could help you spot opportunities to cut down. Having a smart meter installed won’t automatically reduce your bills unless you reduce your usage, but it could save you the hassle of manually submitting meter readings.
Which rooms do you use the most?
Rather than heating the whole house, think about the rooms you spend the most time in and prioritise heating those. If you have spare bedrooms, radiators can be turned off in those rooms as long as you keep the doors shut. When you head out for the day, use the timer function on your thermostat to ensure you’re not heating an empty house. (If you’re going away for a couple of days, it’s wise to set a minimum temperature of seven degrees Celcius to prevent your pipes from freezing while not in use if the weather turns frosty).
Where are you losing warmth?
Making your home draught-free and ensuring that your central heating system is working optimally could enable you to turn down your thermostat and reduce your bills and low-cost, DIY jobs can make a difference. Fitting draught-proof strips around your windows can reduce heat loss, while reflective foil fitted behind your radiators to direct heat back into the room could help maintain a comfortable temperature once you do switch on your heating.
Are you on the best deal?
You could consider shopping around for a cheaper energy deal, using online comparison tools to check whether you can pay less by switching to a different provider or moving to a fixed-rate deal. However, this isn’t without risks, if the energy price cap falls next Spring, you could end up paying more, or face hefty exit fees to get out of a fixed-rate contract.
Can you claim financial support?
If you’re over the age of 65, use the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pension credit calculator to work out whether you’re eligible for Pension Credit, a benefit worth £3,900 per year on average, which supports older people with the cost of housing, including heating their homes.
Claims can be backdated up to three months, so if you meet the criteria for Pension Credit but haven’t claimed, you have until 21 December to submit a claim to receive winter fuel payments.
Households in fuel poverty – those that can’t afford to heat their homes adequately – may be able to claim financial support to make changes to their property to make them more energy efficient. The Energy Company Obligation requires suppliers to take action to help low-income and vulnerable households to heat their homes. For more information, contact your energy supplier directly. You can find the contact details of suppliers taking part in the scheme on the Ofgem website.
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