State pensioners urged to make 'four changes' around home for instant £130 cash

State pensioners who've cruelly lost the £300 Winter Fuel Payment could be handed an instant £130 cash boost with four changes to the home, it has emerged. According to Energy Savings Expert Joshua Houston, at GreenMatch, there are energy-guzzling appliances hiking your bills when left on standby.

"Many people believe that devices in standby mode use negligible power," said Mr Houston. "However, this 'vampire power' can account for up to 10 percent of your home's electricity use." Mr Houston advised people to "use smart power strips or unplug your devices".

Mr Houston explained: "Modern heating systems use thermostats or smart home devices to warm homes quickly, making it more cost-effective to heat only when needed. Using a programmable thermostat to control heating times can save you up to £130 per year on energy bills."

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Mr Houston said: "Modern dishwashers are often more efficient than hand-washing, especially when fully loaded. Energy star-certified dishwashers use about 12 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than standard models.

"An energy-efficient dishwasher uses around six to seven litres of water per cycle, while hand-washing typically uses 50 litres and above." Mr Houston recommended "skipping the pre-rinsing" and letting the dishwasher do the work.

Mr Houston explained: "Many of us have been guilty of cranking up the thermostat to 25C when we are shivering, hoping to warm up our homes in record time. But here's the truth: it will just make your heating system run longer, wasting energy. Therefore, it is better to set your thermostat to the temperature you actually want.

"For most UK homes, that's around 18 to 21C. Your system will work steadily and efficiently to reach and maintain that temperature. No rush, no waste." It comes at a time where pensioners face £1717 energy bills and losing the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.