Save money on energy bills by avoiding energy spikes

Households across the UK can save money on their energy bills by avoiding one common heating mistake this winter.

According to new research by David Wilson Homes, some 48 percent of homeowners are unsure whether viral hacks, such as painting radiators black or leaving appliances on standby, actually help to cut the costs of their bills.

One major energy saving myth confusing homeowners is whether keeping your heating on low all day is cheaper and more energy efficient than switching it on and off as needed.

Experts say this is actually a common misconception, as regularly turning your heating on and off typically conserves more energy than if it is left running all day.

Keeping a consistent temperature will allow you to avoid energy spikes caused by constantly changing the temperature throughout the day, which can be costly.

Danielle Michalska-Morris, Group Technical Innovation Manager at David Wilson Homes, says running the heating at a set temperature all day may save you both money and energy.

She explains: “When the heating is constantly on, your system works to maintain a set temperature, leading to ongoing energy consumption. However, the energy efficiency of this approach can vary depending on the type of heating system used. For example: With a traditional gas boiler, intermittent heating (turning it on when you need it) usually conserves more energy than continuous operation, as gas boilers consume more energy trying to maintain a constant temperature throughout the day.

“For air source heat pumps, which work more gradually to heat spaces, keeping them on at a low level for extended periods may be more efficient than cycling them on and off. This is due to the nature of heat pumps, which function optimally when maintaining a steady temperature rather than heating from cold each time.”

The advice comes as households across the UK face another increase to energy bills this winter, as Ofgem confirmed it will raise its price cap by 1.2 percent from January 1.

It means the typical bill for households in England, Scotland and Wales will rise from £1,717 to £1,738 per year – or by around £1.75 per month.

It follows a price rise of 10 percent in October, with further hikes expected again from April 1.