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Sub-zero temperatures hit the UK just as gas and electricity prices rise for millions of homes.
Energy bills are around 50% higher than pre-Covid, leaving many people struggling to cover these costs as well as other financial requirements.
So what can you do to stay warm while keeping costs down?
Prioritize safety
Staying warm during the winter months can help prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression, according to the NHS.
Retirees, children under five, people with health problems and those who are pregnant are most at risk.
So, staying safe and healthy should be a priority, even if it puts a strain on finances. This extends to ensuring that gas appliances are safe to use when they are rarely turned on.
Family, friends and neighbors can play their part in ensuring that anyone who is more vulnerable takes care when going out on icy sidewalks or that they have enough food and medicine at home.
Many charities and councils run warm centers in places such as libraries, so those short on cash can have somewhere to go – but it’s important to take care if you go to these places in freezing weather or snowy.
How to heat your home efficiently
Before you have an argument between family or roommates over heating, try visiting the property to find out how to save energy.
This may include turning off radiators in unused rooms, turning off lights when they are not needed, and not leaving electrical appliances on standby.
Curtains should be opened during the day and then drawn at dusk.
Manage your drafts by placing a black bag filled with crumpled paper in an unused chimney, or try to limit other drafts in the house. You can easily create your own draft excluders. Cold, hard floors can be covered with a rug if you have one.
Put on clothes, safely use a hot water bottle and make sure you have warm night clothes.
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When it comes to heating, there is much debate over whether it is more efficient to keep it at a low level all the time, rather than turning it on and off as needed.
Experts don’t have a clear answer on this, as it often depends on the circumstances of the home, but it’s probably not the best option for most people.
Generally, a room temperature between 18°C and 21°C is ideal for most, but lowering it by a degree can save money.
For the elderly and those with health problems, it is best not to let the temperature drop below 18°C in rooms used regularly.
Ensuring curtains are not placed in front of radiators will help ensure the heat stays in, as will moving furniture away from radiators.
Consider installing radiator reflector panels, although this may be a longer term job.
Eat, drink and wash – the cheapest way
It’s more important than ever to eat and drink well, even with little motivation while stuck at home.
Age UK says reheating foods, like soup and stews, and hot drinks like tea, can help keep you warm. People should try to have at least one hot meal a day and as many hot drinks as possible. Supermarket brand cans may be cheaper, so keep a close eye on prices. Food banks can also help you if you are short of money.
Be careful not to overfill the kettle by measuring what is necessary to keep costs down. Batch cooking can also help. Don’t forget fruits and vegetables: these can be cooked in a steamer on a single hotplate, rather than on different hotplates.
When washing dishes, if your hot water is too hot for washing your hands, your setting is probably too high, so turn the boiler down. Wash clothes at 30°C and not 40°C.
Continue to move as much as you can between meals. This is likely to improve your mental and physical health.
Although it’s tempting to stay in the shower for a long time, experts suggest limiting the time to four minutes. A playlist of four-minute songs can be helpful.
Claim all the help you are entitled to
If you are experiencing financial difficulties, local councils and energy suppliers should be able to offer you some help.
In fact, a supplier is obliged to help you if you are behind on your energy bill.
Anyone with a prepayment meter and who cannot afford to refuel can request a fuel voucher from their supplier or municipality.
Local authorities may also be able to provide cost of living support through the Household Support Fund. You can find your town hall here.
There are various other grants and benefits that people may be entitled to but do not claim. During a prolonged period of subzero temperatures, cold weather payments will be made.
Making a claim may not provide an immediate solution during the current cold snap, but may be helpful during the rest of the winter. Citizen advice should help determine what can be claimed.
Grants are available for longer-term work ranging from insulation to heating system upgrades, but time should be taken to research such work and applicants should be alert to scams.
