MILLIONS of households across England, Scotland, and Wales will see their annual energy costs shoot up by £149 from October.
But a quick trick can knock more than £130 of your bills, helping you to keep the heating on this winter.
Citizens Advice has said that turning down your thermostat by just one degree can save you 10% on your heating costs.
And in 2022, researchers from University College London looked at thermostat data from 13,000 homes in Britain – and found that for each 1C decrease in thermostat temperature between 22C and 18C, an average home used around £130 less energy.
The research also showed that bigger homes stand to make greater savings, although not by much.
For every square metre, average households used around £1.10 less in gas for each 1C decrease. They also used 40p less in electricity for each 1C and each square metre.
Important factors that contribute to the amount of energy saved by reducing the thermostat temperature include:
Of course, the easiest way to save money would be to not use the heating at all.
But cold temperatures can cause health problems and lead to expensive issues such as burst pipes, so it’s not a good idea to go without, especially if you’re vulnerable.
So, what is the best temperature to have your home at?
Citizens Advice says that most people will find temperatures between 18C and 21C comfortable.
However, it added that if you have a health condition that could be made worse by the cold, you shouldn’t set your thermostat lower than 21C.
For everyone else, it recommended turning the thermostat down by one degree and seeing how it feels.
Checkatrade recommends using a programmable thermostat to control your heating based on whether you’re out, at work or asleep.
It says: “You can then automatically increase the degree for when you’re home or awake.
“Using a programmable thermostat can help to cut down on unnecessary heating, so you’re using your heating more efficiently.”
Checkatrade has also shared a helpful schedule for heating your home efficiently in winter, to stay warm whilst also saving cash.
It suggested:
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has helpfully busted the myth that it is cheaper to leave your heating on low all day than to simply use energy when you need it.
It said: “Don’t pay for heat that you’re not using! If you are out during the day (or tucked up in bed at night), you don’t need the heating on.
“Even if you turn your thermostat down a bit, your boiler will keep firing up and using energy (and cost you money) at times when you won’t feel the benefit.
“Instead, programme your central heating using the timer so that it switches off when you’re out or in bed, and switches back on to warm up the house about half an hour before you get home or before you get up.”
Citizens Advice added that you should check your thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to make sure you’re not heating rooms you don’t use. These are the controls on your radiator that let you set its individual temperature.
They’re usually attached to one of the pipes that goes into your radiator and have a dial with numbers on that you can adjust.
Citizens Advice said: “Check what the TRVs on your radiators are set to. If they’re on a high setting in rooms where you don’t spend much time, try turning them down to a low setting to save energy.
“Don’t turn them down to zero – this will turn off the radiator completely. Even in a room you don’t use much, there should be some heat to stop damp and mould from developing.”
Other top tips for keeping your home warm include investing in insulation, sealing leaks and draughts, shutting your curtains and getting a more efficient boiler.
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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
DECLAN RICE claims Arsenal are suffering from “through the roof” title anxiety — in SEPTEMBER.
The Gunners were in danger of blowing two home points on Saturday before two stoppage-time goals clinched a 4-2 Prem win over promoted Leicester.
And midfielder Rice insists his title favourites are already experiencing “Squeaky Bum Time” with 32 League games to go.
He said: “Mentally, it’s tough having so many games to get up for.
“The anxiety is through the roof because you know the pressure of playing for Arsenal. If you want to win Premier Leagues you need to win, otherwise pressure mounts.”
“We knew coming into this game how big it was. When it went to two-all, it was tough.
“You look up at the clock and think, ‘We’ve still got time here’, but you’ve also got another thought of, ‘We cannot drop points, we can’t lose this game, we have to keep going’.
“You can’t drop points if you want to compete at the end of the season and win the title. We kept going, kept believing and in the end the three points were massive.
“The first half was probably the most comfortable we’ve been all season in terms of passing and dominating the ball. But at the end it was like a sigh of relief because we won.
“We deserved to win, so lots of positives to take but still so much to improve on.”
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The task for Arsenal now is to maintain their focus for a week that contains tomorrow’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain before Saturday’s league visit from Southampton.
Rice added: “It’s tough, but mentally we have to wrap our heads around the schedule and make sure we’re doing everything we can off the pitch to prepare and be ready.
“The games are coming fast, with so few training sessions to prepare.
“We always believe in what we do. That comes from the manager — that we keep pushing.
“The Champions League is a different format now. We’re excited because we’ve not played PSG before.
“It’s our second group game and it’s massive. You normally find these games in the quarter-finals or semi-finals.”
Pressure on Leicester is equally intense as they continue to seek their first Premier League win following last season’s promotion.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard put Arsenal two up before a James Justin brace for the visitors.
Late on, an own goal by Wilfred Ndidi and a strike from Kai Havertz sealed the Gunners’ victory.
Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was magnificent at the Emirates, flying across his goal to make a succession of superb second-half stops.
The Dane pulled off 13 saves in the match — one shy of the Premier League record — but admitted he would rather be less busy.
Hermansen said: “There are always mixed feelings.
“As a keeper I am trying to help the team whenever it is needed, but it was a bit too much here for me to do.
“And conceding 36 shots is a bit much. That is something we have to improve as a team.”
By Tony Robertson, Digital Sports Reporter
LEANDRO TROSSARD inspired Arsenal to a dramatic injury-time 4-2 win after Leicester’s second-half fightback
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the players…
David Raya – 6
After quiet first half Spaniard had to be alert in the second. Quick distribution allowed Arsenal to sustain attacking pressure.
Could do nothing for the goal after being wrong-footed by the Havertz deflection and was at full stretch for Justin’s world class equalising volley.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Showed off both sides of his game with some good early interceptions before a superb low cross to set up Martinelli’s opener.
Skied a shot over the bar following a goal mouth scramble in the second half.
William Saliba – 7
Expertly marshalled Jamie Vardy whenever caught in a one-v-one situation in the first half.
Gave away a free-kick against the Foxes ace which ended up going in after a deflection off Havertz.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
After being centre of attention against Tottenham and Man City, the Brazilian had a more low-key day dealing with the Foxes, at least in the first half. His problems today were more on the ball than off.
Saw one near-post header miraculously saved by Hermansen in the second half.
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
Closed down a dangerous chance early on after some sloppy midfield play from Thomas Partey, often tucked into midfield when in possession and looked very comfortable in the role.
Went missing for Justin’s equaliser and was booked in the second half for a trip on Facundo Buonanotte. Denied by a goal with a far-post header by a superb Hermansen save.
Thomas Partey – 5
Caught out on the ball in the opening stages by Ndidi but recovered to play some nice passes.
Seemed absent from the midfield at times when asked to defend.
Declan Rice – 6
Made some good runs into the attacking third and was always able to offer an option. Delivered some dangerous corners and provided energy in midfield, even if much of the rest of his impact on the game was limited.
Saw a pass into Havertz on the edge of the area result in a penalty appeal that was waved away.
Kai Havertz – 7
Back in midfield role today and looked assured in much of his play. Nodded a header agonisingly wide in the 37th minute. Saw Leicester’s goal just after half-time deflect in off his chest to wrong foot Raya.
Only denied a goal by a world-class save by Hermansen and was denied a penalty moments later. Showed desire to get to the far-post and score a last-minute goal and make it 4-2 after a Jesus run.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Usual bright self and tested the gloves of Hermansen early on before smart switch to play in Martinelli, who should have done better before skying his shot over the bar. Moments later played in Timber before he set up the opener.
A real captain’s performance from the winger with the most chances created, most shots and most completed dribbles out of any of his team-mates – and he chipped in with an assist.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Naughty tackle from ex-Spurs man Oliver Skipp didn’t dampen his spirits as he ended his goal drought by netting from Timber’s low cross. Arsenal’s most dangerous player in the first half and ended with an assist for Trossard on the stroke of half-time.
Faded in the second half and did not get back in time for Justin’s equaliser before being hooked for Sterling.
Leandro Trossard – 9
Tigerish work leading the line and forced a number of high turnovers, one of which led to a good Martinelli chance being saved by Hermansen. Got a goal for his efforts with a deft side foot into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time.
Struck the wood work in the 58th minute and should have scored after Arsenal won the ball back high. Was eventually the match winner with a scruffy injury time strike from close range.
Subs
Raheem Sterling (on for Martinelli 74 mins) – 5
Didn’t make much impact after coming on.
Ethan Nwaneri (on for Partey 85 mins) – 7
First act after getting the ball was to dribble and curl a shot to the far corner, which was destined for the net if not for a superb Hermansen save.
Gabriel Jesus (on for Trossard 94 mins) – 6
Dribble and shot helped Havertz net a last minute goal.