By Beds SU
Monday, 6 November 2023
As we head into winter and the temperature drops you might find a need to put the heating up and look for ways to stay warm while saving money. Here’s some tips from us to help you.
Use the thermostat
Turning the thermostat down by just one degree could save about £150 annually, a recent BBC report shared.
However, be mindful that the government recommends a room temperature of at least 18C, and those who are older, sick or disabled may need it to be warmer.
If your house is too cold, it could become damp which can lead to mould. People living with mould are more likely to suffer respiratory illnesses, infections, allergies or asthma. So, while it’s good to be aware about reducing energy consumption, aim to remain within the recommended temperature.
Wrap up warm
It is always a good idea to invest in warmer clothes during the winter. This can include:
• Fluffy socks
• Scarfs and gloves
• Jumpers and coats
• And blankets
Buying warmer clothes is a great way to best be prepared for the cold at home and outside. If you are on a budget, look at charity shops that stock affordable, in good condition second hand clothes.
Shorter showers saves money
Reducing the length of your shower from about seven minutes to four could save about £84 a year as reported by the BBC.
You can time yourself using your phone’s timer or a shower timer. We have some shower timers available to give for FREE, donated by Anglian Water. You can email help@bedssu.co.uk to request one or pop along to the Beds SU office in Luton or Bedford. We have a limited number so they are first come first serve.
Turn down radiator valves
Turning down radiator’s in less used rooms could save you about £70 a year, as reported by the BBC.
This can be done by turning the valve on the radiator – often labelled one to five/six – to the middle number - 3.
This should still keep the room heated at 18-20C, following the government guidance, and you can keep the heat inside by shutting the doors and windows.
Turn the plugs off at the socket
Almost all electrical appliances in your home, such as computers, TVs, video game consoles and more draw power continuously unless unplugged. Turning off the power switch at the socket or unplugging appliances from the socket when you’re not using them could save you up to £50 a year according to Government guidance.
Use warm spaces
If you are struggling to stay warm at home, you can take advantage of warm spaces that are free and available to you. These areas provide warmth and can be a great way of meeting friends or new people.
We provide several areas that provide warmth across all our campuses. This includes The Metro in the Luton campus and The Hub in the Bedford campus. There are also plenty of university facilities, such as the libraries, that you can use as well.
You can also make use of local libraries in our surrounding towns. To use their library services, you will need to register online for a library card.
Some of the information in this article has been sourced from The BBC and the Government’s ‘Help for Households’ guidance.