Prepare For Winter To Save Money

In this scorching hot September it might be easy to forget that winter isn’t too far away. That’s right, it’s only 13 weeks until Christmas, which will fly by. So it’s best you prepare for winter now!

Switch energy providers

Switching energy providers is probably the quickest way of reducing your bills, especially after several of the biggest UK energy companies have raised their prices. It is also worth looking into whether you can get a better deal by getting your gas and electric supplied by the same company.

Buy fuel early 

If it is at all possible it can often be beneficial to buy your fuel early. As winter quickly approaches the price of fuel such as logs and coal will rise along with the level of demand. You don’t have to buy it all in one go:  if you have a safe place to store the fuel it might be a good idea to buy an extra bag of logs or coal each week so that you can make the most of the pre-winter prices.

Keep the thermostat low

Duh. But actually this can be quite a task the colder it gets. A good idea is to start off by setting the thermostat to just a degree or two higher than the temperature in your house when you are feeling cold. Because the weather isn’t overly cold a raise in temperature of just a degree or 2 could be enough to take the chill off the house without spending more money than you need. This makes it easier to cope with the lower temperature for much longer than you think all whilst saving money!

Prevent Draughts

Check all of your windows and doors to ensure that all of the draught prevention methods are still effective, especially if you live in an older property. If you have a particularly draughty window or door it can pay to invest in a thick pair of curtains, which can keep the chilly air at bay.

Remember to close the curtains in your home early, as this can help the house to warm up as the evening takes hold.

Check your loft insulation to make sure that is in place and check your roof for loose tiles. There can be nothing more disheartening than trying to warm your home while knowing that good money is just seeping out through your roof.

Did you know that lots of the UK energy companies offer grants to help you cover the costs of cavity wall insulation and loft insulation? Take advantage of this.

There are lots of things you can do to help save money, especially in the winter. If you have any tips or tricks yourself feel free to tweet us @MACFinancial

About the Author