Despite balmy temperatures sizzling the UK, many British households are still wasting energy without even realising. Luckily, a £5 hack can put an end to the problem, and save you hundreds
Cash-strapped Brits still grappling with soaring energy bills have been urged to try a genius tip to drastically cut costs. Last month, Ofgem’s energy price cap increased by 6.4 per cent – the third increase in recent months.
It means the average dual fuel household paying by direct debit has witnessed their annual energy bill spike from £1,738 a year to £1,849. As previously reported, this roughly means for every £100 you spend on gas and electricity, this will now costs £106.40.
The £111 increase comes amid rising council tax, higher road tax, and even a £5 increase to the TV Licence – in what has all been dubbed as ‘Awful April’. If you’re still feeling the financial wrath from the series of bill increases – there is a handy hack to alleviate the costs.
While balmy temperatures have settled many households’ worry about energy costs, experts over at SimplyEasy Refurbs warn not to get complacent. In a statement sent to the Mirror, they said: “The weather might be warming up, but we still get cold snaps. Any gaps in your external doors let warm air out and let cold air in. That means radiators work harder than they need to.”
To tackle the issue, the pros recommend draught-proofing your letterbox, arguing it is the most ‘overlooked money-saving’ fix in most British homes. Sealing your letterbox properly will stop a constant flow of heat loss and prevent the cold draughts from entering – meaning your bills will go down.
“It sounds basic, but sealing up small draughts is a spring essential,” the pros added. “It is a job you can do in five minutes with no tools — and the difference in comfort and energy use is massive.”
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You can pick up letterbox draught excluders from your nearest general store or online for less than a fiver. For example, ScrewFix is currently selling a Diall draught sealer, which is suitable for wood and composite doors, for £4.99. It is also worth picking up keyhole covers, door frame sealing strips, and internal door draught excluders to make sure your home is running as efficiently as possible.
“Individually these fixes seem minor, but together they can significantly improve the energy efficiency of older UK homes,” SimplyEasy Refurbs explains. “If you’re still turning the heating on in May, it’s likely because draughts are dragging the temperature down. Start with the letterbox — it’s cheap, easy, and it works.”
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