1Plus1’s top tips to save money on your household fuel bills this winter

Bills are getting more expensive for most of us. Rising living costs, interest rates, fuel and energy prices are likely to increase sooner rather than later are a concern, so here are some top tips to save money on your household fuel bills this winter.

The cost of living has jumped at its fastest pace in almost 30 years. Inflation – the rate that prices are rising - hit 5.4% in January. Rising energy prices with suppliers collapsing and consumer choice over tariffs dwindling have been well reported recently

How to cut your energy bills - Should I try and switch my energy supplier?

Normally, we’d advise comparing prices and switch supplier or tariff to get the best deal. But switching is not the best thing for many at the moment.

It’s still important to look at your current deal. What you should do depends on your situation. If you’re on a low-priced fixed-term deal, don’t switch away from it early. You’re unlikely to find anything as cheap.

If you move onto a deemed or default tariff (e.g. if your supplier closes, or you haven’t switched in a while) then you may be paying the maximum permitted by the price cap. This gives you some protection – Ofgem revises the level every six months (next in April 2022) – but it’s likely to be much pricier than your old deal. A fixed-term deal will give you price security but you may have to pay a premium for it.

Price rises, supplier failures – your questions answered

What should I do - my energy direct debit has gone up?

Your direct debit payments will probably increase if you’re move to a pricier deal (e.g. your fixed tariff ended and you move onto an out-of-contract price-capped tariff automatically, or your supplier went bust). Your payments could also increase if you’re using more energy.

If you’re not sure why ask your supplier to explain. If you don’t agree (e.g.  if you think your current payments will cover your increased usage or the higher rates of a new tariff) then ask for your payments to stay the same.

Help is available if you are unable to pay your higher energy bills,. Contact your supplier first.

If I don’t want to put the central heating on, what’s the most energy-efficient way to heat a room?

Central heating is usually the most cost-effective heating. Make sure it’s working efficiently, using timers, room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to control which rooms are heated and when.

Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature: turning it down by just 1°C can save you £80 to £85 a year.

If your system doesn’t have individual room controls and you’re only heating one room, a portable heater can be cost-effective. Convector heaters are best for heating a room for a period of a few hours or more. Fan or halogen heaters are better for a shorter blast of heat to warm you up quickly.

Can energy-efficient appliances really make much of a difference to my bills?

Absolutely. An efficient appliance can help avoid unexpected bills after you buy. Check out Which’s guides including how to buy the best tumble dryer and how to buy the best fridge freezer.

Are there any cheap ways to insulate my home?

While some energy efficiency upgrades need professional installation, there are other quick and cost-effective DIY ways to insulate your home. Some easy DIY jobs to boost your home’s energy efficiency