Clocks Go Back This Weekend: Simple Ways to Stay Cosy and Save Energy This Winter

The clocks go back an hour this Sunday, 25 October. Enjoy the extra hour in bed, because it also means darker evenings, chillier mornings and the heating coming on a bit more often. Before winter properly sets in, it’s the perfect moment to get your home cosy and your bills under control.

Use the clock change as your winter checklist

Changing the clocks is a handy reminder to give your home a quick once-over:

• Check your heating timer. Smart thermostats usually update themselves, but older boiler timers might not. Leave yours an hour out and you could be heating an empty house.
• Bleed your radiators. If they’re cold at the top, trapped air could be stopping them from warming the room properly.
• Keep radiators clear. Moving the sofa or clothes airer away lets the heat get into the room.
• Test your smoke alarms while you’re at it. It costs nothing and only takes a minute.

Keep the heat where you want it

Stopping warmth escaping is one of the simplest ways to feel cosier without turning the heating up.

• Tackle draughts. A draught excluder at the bottom of the door, or even a rolled-up towel, helps keep the warmth in.
• Close the curtains at dusk. With the evenings drawing in, pulling them shut as soon as it gets dark helps hold on to the day’s heat.
• Shut doors to rooms you’re not using so you’re only heating the spaces you actually spend time in.
• Add a rug to bare floorboards for a warmer feel underfoot.

Small habits that add up

You don’t need to overhaul your life to use a bit less energy. A few easy swaps:

• Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle.
• Pop lids on pans, and batch cook when the oven’s on. Freeze a few portions for busy weeknights.
• Switch appliances off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby.
• Make the most of any dry, breezy autumn days to get washing out on the line.
• Swap to LED bulbs as old ones go, especially in the rooms where lights are on the longest now evenings are darker.

Layer up for less

Before you reach for the thermostat, reach for a jumper. Thick socks, slippers, a hot water bottle and a throw on the sofa can make a big difference to how warm you feel. If you need to stock up on cosy essentials, autumn is a good time to look out for offers on blankets, bedding and winter clothing as shops change their ranges for the season.

Shop around for your bills

It’s easy to let household bills roll over year after year, but a little time spent checking can pay off:

• Check when your contracts end. Make a note of renewal dates for energy, broadband, mobile and insurance, so you can compare before they auto-renew.
• Ask about better deals. If you’ve been with a provider for a while, it’s worth asking whether there’s a cheaper tariff or package you could switch to.
• Talk to your supplier if you’re struggling. If paying your bills is getting tricky, contact your supplier early to talk through your options.

Cosy on a budget

Getting ready for winter doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. Grab a few cheap draught-proofing bits, adjust your heating timer and build some cosy habits, and you’ll be all set for the darker months ahead.

Stay warm, save more

A few small changes now can make the colder months feel a lot more manageable, for your home and your wallet. And while you’re getting your home ready for winter, keep an eye out here for the latest deals and offers to help your money go a little further this season.