Winter Savings Tips

The nights are getting darker, and the days are getting colder. Winter is coming! With the end of British Summer Time and the rise in energy costs, we may begin to panic regarding how to save our money and still stay warm this winter. Smart Money Cymru has come up with some tips and tricks, so you needn’t freeze!

Thicker is Better!

Consider layering up before putting the heating on and avoid wearing clothes that aren’t seasonal. Be sure to wear fleecy jumpers, woolly socks and slippers and long sleeves tops. Also consider using thicker bedding too – such as heavier duvet sets made of cotton or fleece. If that isn’t an option, why not sleep with a blanket on top of your duvet? It will help insulate you and prevent you from getting cold as the winter nights draw in.

You could also invest in a heated blanket too and put it on an hour before bed. If not, purchase a water bottle and do the same.

Turn the Heating Off

This may sound counter intuitive, but why keep the heating on when you’re not using it? Try turning off the heating when you’re not in the house and when you’re asleep, relying more on the hot water bottle at night instead. This could save a lot of money and prevent wasting energy when you don’t need it.

Check the House

Draught-proofing your home is incredibly important – ensure you close all the windows and doors and use draught excluders where you can to prevent the heat from leaving your home. (Here’s a link to sweet DIY sausage dog draught excluder How to make a sausage dog draught excluder – Your Home Style)  Also make sure to regularly bleed your radiators, this gets rid of any air bubbles in the system that may prevent hot water from circulating throughout your home, costing you more money.

Also, ensure you know where your stopcock is – the mains water off-switch. This is crucial, as if your pipes freeze and burst you will need to turn the water off to prevent massive damage, which could end up costing thousands to repair.

Know Your Benefits!

Know what benefits your entitled to this winter! If you were born on or before 25 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. This includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’ between £150 and £300. You’ll only get this extra amount in winter 2022 to 2023 and this is in addition to any Cost-of-Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.

All households have also been receiving £400 off their energy bills from October 2022. The discount being made in 6-month instalments to help families throughout this winter period. It is an automatic payment and should have been deducted from the price of your energy bill.

Finally, you may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.

You’ll get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.

Heating or Eating?

There is help available if you’re having to choose between eating or heating this winter, please ensure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to and check if you qualify for further help with your energy costs. No one should go hungry, and no one should live uncomfortably. Smart Money Cymru also offers a range of advice, and our customer service team are happy to help if you need it!