SPRING may be just around the corner, and yet with warnings that parts of the country may get blanketed by snow, households aren’t going to be switching off their heating any time soon.

The Met Office last week issued a “Sudden Stratospheric Warming,” a once-in-a-250-year weather event which could cause unseasonably cold weather.

Martyn Bridges, director of technical services at Worcester Bosch, has shared his energy tips

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Martyn Bridges, director of technical services at Worcester Bosch, has shared his energy tips

While it may be tempting to reach for the thermostat to try and stay cosy if we do end up facing a frosty cold snap, this will burn a big hole in your wallet.

Instead, it’s worth looking to reduce bills by keeping the cold out – and the warmth in.

This is according to Martyn Bridges, director of technical services at Worcester Bosch.

The energy-saving expert told The Sun: “With the Met Office issuing weather warnings, it’s natural to question how to keep your home warm, both efficiently and economically.”

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The good news is, he adds, you don’t need to make huge changes – or fork out massive sums of money – to make a big difference.

“When it comes to retaining heat in your home, one area where we can often be forgetful is closing the doors,” he said.

“This is particularly important in rooms with external facing walls.”

What you need to remember is that external walls are much colder than internal walls.

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“If there are doors or windows, this can make walls even colder,” said the energy whizz.

“Closing the doors to rooms will prevent the warm air from being cooled down, reducing the need to have the heating on.

“Making this small change won’t cost you a penny.”

How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills

Shutting doors is one of a host of tips that Martyn has come up with to help you boost the energy-efficiency of your home.

“During prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures, we will inevitably use our heating systems more,” he explained.

“That said, a few simple but effective steps can help you retain as much of the heat you generate as possible inside the property.”

One quick and cost-effective way to stop heat escaping is by draught-proofing, according to the home heating supremo.

Martyn said: “You can reduce heat loss from gaps in windows or cracks in doors by using draught-proofing strips or draught excluders to keep the warmth in.”

On Amazon, you can pick up a roll of Stormguard draught excluder tape for just over £6.

At Wilko, you can buy a draught excluder to go at the bottom of your door for around £13.

Better still, why not fashion your own door excluder from an old towel, or by stuffing rags into the leg of an old pair of tights?

That way, you won’t even have to open your wallet.

While it’s hard to say exactly how much warmer you can make your home with simple measures such as closing doors and draught-proofing, as we reported last month, you could potentially witness a five-degree rise in temperature.

Martyn added: “Your home should feel cosier, but it’s hard to give a precise figure, as there are too many variables that can contribute to how warm your home is.”

What energy bill help is available?

THERE’S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.

If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.

This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.

If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £1,500.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

Energy bills will come down from the beginning of April when the price cap will fall from the current rate of £1,928 to £1,690 a year.

But it’s important not to get too comfortable with the idea of slightly cheaper bills, as the wholesale energy market is unpredictable, meaning prices can increase for a host of unforeseeable reasons.

Given the cap is reviewed every three months, your annual bill could change again later this year.

That’s why taking small steps makes sense – especially as little tweaks could save you more than £100 on your bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

And there’s plenty more you can do to help keep a lid on costs.

“You may love a long soak in the tub, but showers use less water than baths, so go for the energy-saving option,” said Martyn.

“Better still, keep your shower down to four minutes. This can save the average household up to £75 a year.”

Turning down your thermostat is another small change that can make a big difference.

“Moving the dial down by just one degree can save you around £100 a year on your bills,” added Martyn.

“And if you have a combi boiler, you can save money – and reduce energy consumption – by turning down the central heating boiler flow.”

Martyn’s tips for extremely cold weather

If you have pipework or radiators in rooms such as conservatories – which will chill much more quickly – you need to make sure you have the radiators on in these areas to avoid frozen pipes

Secondly, if your boiler stops working and is making gurgling-like noises, it is likely that the condensate pipe needs thawing.

This is something you can do yourself, with warm water or towels soaked in warm water.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

While you’re at it, remember to bleed your radiators regularly.

To find out more about how to maintain your boiler, head to our guide.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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