ENERGY bills have gone up again just as colder weather hits – but millions could save cash by switching now.
The energy price cap has jumped from £1,568 to £1,717, meaning bills have risen by ten per cent and the average household bill is up by more than £12 a month, or £149 a year.
It’s not as bad as last year, when the price cap soared to £4,279, luckily offset by the Government’s Energy Price Guarantee, which reduced bills.
But there are still ways you can save money on your energy costs . . .
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH BILLS? More than 27million households saw costs rise this week due to the new price cap.
The price cap does not limit bills. You still pay for each unit of gas and electricity but it does provide an estimate for an average household.
The more energy you use, the higher your bills will be.
The price cap changes again in January, when the most recent prediction by experts is that it will fall by one per cent.
This week, energy consultancy Cornwall Insight said it expects the typical household’s energy bill to drop to an annual £1,697 a year from January 1.
But this is still eight per cent more expensive than the best fixed deals being offered by energy firms.
The price cap is reviewed every three months, so January’s cap will be confirmed by November 25.
But you don’t need to wait to save money, as you can act now.
SWITCH NOW TO SAVE MONEY: You can switch to a fixed deal and save money as a handful of suppliers are offering deals that are CHEAPER than the new price cap. They will still save you money if bills go down the predicted one per cent in January.
The current cheapest fix is from Outfox The Market and it costs £162 less than October’s price cap.
That means it is £142 cheaper than the predicted price cap for January. It is fixed for 12 months and if you want to leave before the end of the contract, it would cost £50 for gas and electricity.
Other suppliers such as OVO Energy, British Gas, EDF Energy and Octopus Energy offer tariffs that save you £100 a year.
Fixing is a gamble as you are locked into the tariff until prices end.
Before switching, rem – ember to check exit fees and how long you will be tied in for. Some suppliers may also require you to fit a smart meter to access their best deal.
Always compare prices, and use uswitch.com or moneysavingexpert.com.
You will need your address, current energy supplier, usage and how you pay.
TAKE A METER READING: If you are on a standard variable tariff rather than a fixed deal, and do not have a smart meter, then you need to submit a gas and electricity reading as soon as possible.
It will ensure you do not get inaccurately billed at higher prices.
Check when you need to submit the reading. For example, British Gas customers have until October 14, whereas EDF Energy customers have until October 9.
You should do this even if you are planning to switch.
GET FINANCIAL HELP: Energy firms offer grants to customers who are struggling to pay their bills.
For example, British Gas has grants worth up to £2,000 via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Fund. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply.
Other firms, such as EDF, E.ON and Octopus Energy offer grants to customers.
Eligibility rules will vary, so contact your supplier for more information.
REGISTER FOR ASSISTANCE: Thousands of vulnerable households, including those who are elderly or ill, are missing out on perks such as free gas safety checks and support if they are struggling with their bills.
To get access to these, you need to register for the Priority Services Register.
REDUCE USE: Cutting your energy use is the easiest way to save money on bills now.
Before you put your heating on this winter, read Energy Saving Trust’s easy energy saving tips at energysavingtrust.org.uk.
For example, reducing washing cycles and using lower temperatures could cut £24 a year, or installing draught-proofing can save £80 a year.
LOOK FOR ADVICE: Check to see if you could get help with energy bills such as the £300 Winter Fuel Payment or £150 Warm Home Discount.
See citizensadvice.org.uk. Your local council may also offer cash help with energy bills if you are on a low income via the Household Support Scheme. Contact them directly to check.
BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.
To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.
The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year – irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.
You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.
Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.
Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type – this will give you your usage costs.
You’ll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage – this will then give you your annual costs.
Divide this figure by 12, and you’ll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.
DRYING our clothes in the winter can be tough – there are fewer options and the colder temperatures make it that little bit harder.
So it’s understandable that most of us put damp clothes straight from the washing machine and onto our warm radiators.
But now one expert has revealed that we don’t need to do that because we can still hang our washing out on the lines in the colder months.
If you thought you couldn’t dry your clothes outside in the winter, you’re not alone.
According to laundry expert Sarah Dempsey, it’s one of the most common misconceptions.
And she told how hanging your clothes outside in the colder months can actually be more effective than doing so in summer.
Sarah even revealed that heat isn’t the most important thing when it comes to drying clothes.
She also explained that air-drying your clothes is a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to the tumble dryer, saving you money on your energy bills.
And it will even but it’ll also extend the life of your clothes, with a tumble dryer being the enemy for many knit materials.
She said: “While heat is a very helpful tool for drying clothes, it’s not the only factor that goes into drying clothes.
“High levels of humidity in the air can result in longer drying time so, in some cases, you may find that your clothes dry much more quickly on a cold winter’s day than they would on a humid summer day.
“Solar radiation is the most effective method of evaporating the moisture in your clothes.
“Where possible, hang your clothes out in the sunshine for the best method of drying.
“When hanging your clothes outside, you’ll find that wind can even further speed up the drying process.
“Wind can also help with getting the creases out of your clothes.”
Sarah, from MyJobQuote.co.uk, partnered up with Joules to reveal what we can do to make our clothes last longer.
Kimberly Royle, Buying and Sourcing Director at Joules, said: “It may sound simple, but when washing more delicate items of clothing, avoid bundling them into the washing machine with everything else.
“Taking extra care of clothing is essential to ensure it maintains its longevity, quality, and appearance.
“Take a quick look at the care label to prevent any unnecessary wear and tear as well as fading and fabric damage.
“Make sure you wash your knitted cardigans and jumpers at the correct temperature to prevent shrinking.
“For example, have you got a raincoat in need of a little TLC?
“Washing a raincoat by hand can prevent damage to the outer layer, ensuring that it will last for years to come.”
SARAH and Kimberly have shared their top five tips for air drying your clothes
1. Invest in a good clothes airer
“The best way to dry your clothes quickly in the home is using a good quality clothes airer.
“During the winter, heated clothes airers are a great option, especially for homes that tend to remain quite cold.
“It’s best to place your clothes airer in a low-traffic room and ensure there is plenty of ventilation to prevent damp.
“Wall-mounted drying racks are great options as they don’t take up any floor space and can be folded away.
“A retractable clothesline is another option that may work well, as this can be pulled back and put away when it’s not in use.”
2. Use an extra spin
“Give your laundry an extra spin at the end of the cycle to extract some of the surplus dampness and water.
“When you remove the washing from the machine, give it a good shake for the best aeration.
“This will help your clothes dry much more quickly.”
3. Hang delicate items
“You should hang delicate items such as shirts and camisoles on coat hangers off the drying rack.
This will allow more clothes to dry at once and will allow these items to dry as crease-free as possible.
“Once they are fully dry, you can then put them straight into your wardrobe, making washing easier and more convenient.”
4. Hang clothes immediately
“You should avoid leaving your clothes in the laundry basket or washing machine.
“This can cause them to smell and may result in mould growth. Instead, you should hang your clothes on a clothes airer as soon as the cycle is finished.”
5. Hang outside
“During the summer months, the best way to dry your clothes is on a clothesline in the garden.
“If this isn’t possible, you can place a clothes airer outside to help your clothes dry quicker and to prevent too much moisture from building up in your home.”
Michael Stephen Boone was arrested following a bomb threat, a standoff, and arson after he threatened a local citizen and law enforcement. Multiple agencies responded, and Boone now faces several charges as the investigation continues.
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EVERTON’S prospective new owners have committed to giving Sean Dyche significant transfer funds in January.
Friedkin Group representatives held talks with Toffees’ sporting director Kevin Thelwell since the £500million takeover deal was revealed last week.
The American investment group, who also own Italian side Roma, are understood to have provided assurances that cash will be available for boss Dyche.
And Everton are hopeful the Friedkin Group’s takeover will be approved by the Prem before Christmas.
The Merseyside outfit have no short-term funding problems as they have received most of their Premier League TV money for the season up front.
But a prompt takeover would give them extra spending power in January.
The Friedkin Group spent heavily at Roma and indicated they are willing to provide similar backing to Everton, as long as the club remain within the Premier League’s PSR limits.
The new owners are also committed to investing in Everton’s non-football departments and increasing the size of their executive team.
Everton were docked points twice last season after being found guilty of overspending.
But the club are confident they will not face charges for last term and have room to sign players in January’s window.
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There is one outstanding issue relating to the previous case, with the Premier League claiming Everton’s PSR breach for the 2022-23 season was £6.5m higher than the £16m overspend the club admitted to.
The Prem is alleging the breach was much higher as interest payments related to the club’s new stadium were not included in Everton’s spending and could charge them again.
Meanwhile, incoming TFG will look to clean up the club’s balance sheet and cut debt of about £600m.
They will also oversee the opening of the Merseysiders’ new 52,888-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock which will be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season.
FRANK LAMPARD has issued a savage live TV putdown of Arsenal stars William Saliba and Gabriel.
The Chelsea legend had no time for a comparison made by host Gabby Logan ahead of the Gunners clash with PSG.
Frank Lampard quickly shuts down comparisons between Gabriel and Saliba and a legendary Chelsea partnership
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) October 1, 2024#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/dtk8zNyl0x
Lampard, working as a pundit for Amazon, was watching the warm-ups ahead of the Champions League showdown.
Host Logan focused on Saliba and Gabriel, who are forming a formidable partnership for Arsenal at the back this season.
Addressing Lampard, Logan said: “Chelsea of course, on your way to European success, relied on the partnership between Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry.
“Are [Saliba and Gabriel] comparable?”
Lampard, who won the Champions League alongside Carvalho and Terry, pulled no punches with his response.
He hit back: “No! Not yet. If they go and win two, three Premier Leagues and a Champions League, maybe you can compare them.
“I’m not putting them down. They are young, fantastic players improving all the time.”
To a loud laugh from co-pundit Micah Richards, he added: “Win some stuff, boys. Then you can get in that conversation.”
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One fan responded to the clip: “And Lampard is absolutely spot on.”
Another said: “Let him cook.”
While a third argued: “Anyone with a brain shuts down this ridiculous comparison.”
Earlier in the Amazon broadcast, Logan was forced to apologise after a huge scheduling blunder.
Arsenal fans were left seething after Prime Video suffered a big error.
The beginning of the preview show had been billed as 6.30pm.
But as the clock struck the designated time, the build-up did not start.
Coverage didn’t start until 7pm, with Gabby forced into a grovelling apology.
She said: “Apologies, we are a little later than planned.”