STRUGGLING Brits are being given three major tips in a bid to save cash in new energy-saving TV ad.
A telly and radio blitz launches today across the UK to help people slash their sky-high bills.
Telly ads launch across the UK today showing how to save money on bills
A new campaign launches today on telly
A new “It All Adds Up” campaign with energy-saving advice will be ramped up in the coming days.
The £18million blitz will call on people to:
reduce the temperature a boiler heats water to before it is sent to radiators (known as the boiler flow temperature) from 75⁰C to 60⁰C – could save households £100 a yearTurning appliances at the plug that they aren’t using – that could save £70 a yearSlash the heat loss from their home by draught proofing windows and doors – could save £60 a year
In addition, topping up loft insulation and switching to a smart meter can bring a household a further £230 worth of annual savings, according to Nesta.
Business and Energy Minister Lord Callanan said: “The government’s ‘It All Adds Up’ energy saving campaign is already getting important information out to millions of households across the country, showing them simple, low and no-cost tips to cut their energy use and bills this winter.
“Simple steps can make a big difference to cutting bills, while keeping homes warm and safe, and by launching this new TV advert, even more people will be aware and the savings will keep adding up for UK households.”
Families struggling can find further information on the ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign at the GOV.UK website, which is running alongside the government’s wider ‘Help for Households’ website.
Ministers have already launched an Energy Price Guarantee scheme which will cap the average family bill.
And extra help is being dished out via energy bills and suppliers – with a £400 discount to millions.
Cost of living payments have also been sent to millions of low income households, those who are disabled, and pensioners.
Switching off appliances at the wall can also help save cash
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More help is expected next year – but the dates have yet to be confirmed.
How do I change my boiler’s flow setting?
For those with a combi-boiler, you’ll most likely have two dials on it – one for heating, and one for hot water.
The heating dial will most likely have a radiator icon on it, while the hot water dial will probably have a tap on it, according to The Heating Hub.
Nesta has created a handy step-by-step guide to turning down the heat on your boiler.
Boiler settings vary from model to model – so it’s a good idea to check the manual to find out exactly how to set yours.
If you have a hot water cylinder, you should keep the dial on 60c or more.
This is because hot water should be stored at a high enough temperature to stop bacteria like legionella from multiplying.
If you have a combi boiler, you don’t need to worry, legionella only breeds in standing water and combis keep it flowing.
Legionella bacteria flourishes between 20-45 degrees, so it’s important to store water at a higher temperature.