British Gas, Octopus, EDF, OVO customers can save at least £445 with simple tips

Bleeding the radiators and making a few other changes can help keep your home warm this winter

Now that the Ofgem price cap has gone up and the weather has become colder, UK energy bills are set to rise. As the nights get suddenly darker after the clocks go back and we need more lighting and heating, this will increase even further.

Ofgem has put up its price cap by 10 per cent to £1,717 annually for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit, an increase of £149 from the previous cap of £1,568. You can estimate how much your bill will change from this month using our energy calculator.

So far, suggestions given to householders who are with energy firms such as British Gas, EDF, and Octopus have included tackling 'vampire devices' that are unknowingly consuming energy in the background. Experts have also advised on how to save £100 with more efficient washing machines and dishwashers, along with a definitive verdict on whether you should leave your central heating on all the time. There are other things you can try, too.

READ MORE:

• UK householders can cut energy costs with these seven kitchen tips
• State pensioners who lose Winter Fuel Payment can get up to £200 for energy bills

Money-saving expert Fred Harrington, CEO of coupon site Bountii, has highlighted five cost-effective tips for making your home warmer this autumn and winter. You could save around £400 by following the advice

Bleeding your radiators can save £350 a year

Bleeding radiators at home is an essential task for making your heating system run as efficiently as possible. By performing this task, you will enable air to escape, improving heat circulation and potentially saving you nearly £350 on your energy bills thanks to improved energy efficiency in your home.

To safely and accurately bleed your radiators, first ensure the heating is turned off. Equipped with a radiator key, an old towel, a cloth, and a container, you need to identify the valve (located at the bottom of the radiator, generally at the left or right, but sometimes in the middle). Turn the valve anti-clockwise slowly with the radiator key until you hear a hissing noise, indicating the trapped air is being released.

Once the sound is gone, water will start pouring out. You can collect this in your container and then use your radiator key to tighten the valve back up, turning clockwise this time. Repeat the process for other radiators in your home.

Rugs can help reduce heat loss in your home

Around 10 per cent of heat loss in a home occurs through floors, with wooden or laminate surfaces the biggest culprits. Rugs can be an incredibly effective addition to reduce heat loss in any home.

Thanks to their excellent insulation properties and density, wool rugs are perfect for creating warmth. They slow the transfer of heat into your flooring, helping to maintain a warmer interior.

Draught-proofing can cut fuel bills by £45 a year

Cold draughts can wreak havoc in any home, but luckily, you can take a few easy draught-proofing steps to help address these issues.

One of the simplest DIY methods is safely using a match or lighter to identify the exact spots where the draught is causing a problem. By carefully moving the flame around window frames and doors, you can see where it flickers when hit by a stream of cold air and then highlight the places where draughts enter your home. Once you discover exactly where the issues are, you can use these methods to help minimise heat loss:

• Cling film – an average own-brand 50m roll will only set you back £1.50-£2.50.
• Bubble wrap – save some bubble wrap from your online shopping orders to help cover those areas where cold air enters your home.
• Draught excluders – available in various shapes and designs, they allow you to stop cold draughts from entering at the bottom of doors and windows

Draught proofing can help you save around £45 a year on fuel bills, especially if you take a more professional approach. For example, you can use DIY sheet plastics to protect your windows, and apply insulation tape or self-adhesive foam strips on those spots where cold air is entering.

Stop heat escaping through the walls with foil and shelving to save at least £50 a year

Up to 40 per cent of heat can be lost from radiators through poorly insulated walls, but a few cost-effective hacks can help save some of that much-needed warmth. Placing sheets of foil, or even a £1.40 roll of aluminium foil, behind your radiators will reflect heat energy back into your room that would otherwise be wasted.

If you have wall space directly above your radiator, putting up shelves can save heat and reduce your bills. Instead of allowing the heat to rise to the ceiling, shelves will help deflect it forward into your room, creating a cosier space. Some shelves are easy to install and don't even need wall fixings.

Even just using tin foil behind the radiator could save up to around £50 a year. Add on some shelving and the savings could potentially be much higher.

Buy a higher tog duvet to keep warm at night

Picking the right duvet to keep you warm during the winter depends on personal preference and how low the temperature drops. Generally, duvets of 13.5-tog or higher are recommended during cold winter periods, at an average price of between £15 and £25. If you struggle to keep warm during the colder months, you may need to opt for a 15-tog duvet at a cost of around £20-£30.

Cotton sheets are recommended during winter for a cosy night's sleep. If you're looking for the warmest option, choose flannel sheets. Due to excellent insulation, thickness, and breathable fabrics, these sheets will allow you to enjoy a warm evening in bed while the cold weather rages outside.

The three measures above with defined savings add up to £445 a year. Using the other tips such as rugs and warmer bedding will boost that further.

You can get all of today's essential breaking news on the BirminghamLive WhatsApp. Join our dedicated community to receive the latest updates. For more on navigating the cost of living crisis, sign up for our Money Saving Newsletter which is sent out daily with the top stories on benefits, pensions, finances, bills, and shopping discounts.