We've all seen the headlines, we are in a cost of living crisis. Whether it's the unfolding Russian invasion of Ukraine, or concerns over poverty in the UK, it seems there's plenty to worry about right now.
18.02.2022 - 16:51 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Up and down the country people are preparing to tighten their purse strings thanks to the news of the energy cap rising by up to 54% in April.
The increase is a record breaking high and can see householders forking out an extra £693 a year on their heating and electricity bills.
Such a big jump in bills has meant people are desperately looking for things to help them save money without sacrificing too much of their lifestyle.
Luckily, there are a few easy changes you can make, along with some brilliant bits of tech that can help cut your bills and save you some money.
Smart thermostats
Your thermostat is responsible for about 60% of your energy usage at home, so it makes sense that this is a good place to start.
Whilst they have a higher upfront cost, some thermostats, like the Google Nest Thermostat can help you save up to 12% a year on your energy bills.
There are other brands available too, such as the Hive Heating and Hot Water Thermostat , which works with Alexa, or the tado Smart Thermostat Starter Kit , so you can choose which one you want depending on your budget and existing tech.
Smart plugs
Turning your electricals off at the wall when they’re not being used is a really great way to save energy, but sometimes it’s not always possible.
Leaving things on standby may not use up as much energy as leaving them turned on, but these ‘vampire plugs’ (when a device is draining your electricity when not in use) can make a real impact on your bills.
They’re controlled over Wi-Fi via an app, or some like this Philips Smart Plug can even be controlled with Google Home or Alexa.
That means you can turn things off and on even when you’re not in the house, and will tell you which of your appliances you’d be better
We've all seen the headlines, we are in a cost of living crisis. Whether it's the unfolding Russian invasion of Ukraine, or concerns over poverty in the UK, it seems there's plenty to worry about right now.
Millions of households across Scotland and the rest of the UK are facing an even bigger increase in their fuel bills from next month following Ofgem's price cap announcement in February.
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