British Gas customers can get £347 in bank accounts

Advice issued to households about how to keep bills low during winter

British Gas customers have been told they can save up to £347 on their bills by making some simply changes in their homes. The energy giant has issued some tips about how to keep homes warm and reduce the cost of heating.

It's particularly important this year given the fact millions of state pensioners are losing their Winter Fuel Payments, worth up to £300. Blocking draughts, bleeding radiators and using thermostats correctly can all help to cut costs.

Dinesh Kumar, a British Gas service and repair engineer, said: “As the temperatures start to drop, more people will be turning to their heating systems once again to keep them warm in the months ahead. It’s important to make sure central heating systems are running smoothly and are prepared to withstand the winter weather.

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"Keeping your boiler in good check is key to this, while making a few simple changes around the home can help save on bills and make sure you aren’t using more energy than you need.” On bleeding radiators, he said: “Air can get trapped in the system, forming bubbles at the top of the radiators and reducing their efficiency.

"If you feel cold spots near the top, turn the radiators off and allow them to cool. Then, use a radiator key to open the valve at the top and release the trapped air.” He went on: “Checking your windows and doors are free from draughts could save you around £60 a year.

"Easy-to-apply self-adhesive foam strips around windows can help prevent cold air passing through, and draught excluders work wonders for gaps under doors. Don’t forget about your keyhole and letterbox too – cheap keyhole covers and letterbox brushes are quick to fit and will help keep the cold at bay.”

British Gas added: "Turn off radiators in unused rooms: To save money, avoid heating rooms you aren't using. If you know a room won't be in use, make sure to switch off the radiator and close the door to prevent cold air from moving through the rest of the house.

"When you need the room again, turn the radiator back on ahead of time to heat it up. What’s more, you can install thermostatic radiator valves so you can control the temperature in each room. Keep them low, around 2-3, when you aren’t in the rooms or out of the house.

"Optimise your thermostat: It can be tempting to crank up the thermostat on colder days, but what’s the right temperature? Set your main thermostat between 18C and 21C to save around 10% on your heating bills. For an average household, lowering the temperature by just one degree could save you about £115 a year."