Millions of homeowners have seen their energy bills rise, with the possibility of higher costs as the winter approaches and lower fixed rates.
As such, homes will try to save wherever possible, and cut back on heating when necessary.
People will need to heat their homes regularly, even though it is cold in the months ahead.
Many households are unsure how to heat their home without spending too much.
Consumers are now looking to find ways to save money as their energy bills have increased dramatically.
Some are also wondering what their actual energy costs are due to this crisis, compared with previous years.
With the assistance of Uswitch this is Money answered some common energy questions.
1. What is the cost of an electric heater to heat your home for one evening? Compare this to what it was two years ago.
Electric heaters will become more popular as temperatures fall.
However, they can prove costly depending on how often they are used and how long consumers have it on for.
Uswitch research has shown that an electric heater can be slightly more expensive now than two years back. Perhaps this is due to the energy crisis.
Its data reveals that using a typical plug-in electric heater for five hours on one night would cost consumers on a default tariff about £2.84 as of November 2021.
Meanwhile, in November 2019, it would have cost around £2.62 – meaning customers are paying 7.7 per cent more now.
The question is whether electric heating or radiators are better for keeping warm in the homes of households.
2. Which is more efficient: heating water in a large kettle or an electric blanket lasting an hour?
Electric blankets consume less energy than heating full kettles, which is perhaps not surprising.
For a double-bed, electric blankets consume about 100 watts of power.
One hour of use would run you about 1.9p per evening.
Boiling a 1.7-litre kettle to heat hot water would run you 398p more, which is 109 percent higher.
Therefore, those who are looking to stay warm – and save money – could be better off putting their electric blanket on for an hour before bed.
If someone wants it to be on continuously for an entire night (e.g., eight hours), it will cost them 15.2p.
3. Is it more expensive to buy a tumble dryer right now than two years earlier?
When clothes dry quickly, the winter months are when tumble dryers get more usage.
For households on a standard variable tariff, with the current average cap limit of £1,277, a tumble dryer cycle costs around 96.8p.
The cost of a cycle has risen by 7.4p from 2019, which was a time when it cost around 89.4p.
Therefore if the tumble dryer was used twice a week, this will cost consumers £7.10 more a year than it did two years ago.
This winter, energy costs will increase for many as wholesale prices rise.
4. What is better: to keep the heat on low for the whole day, or turn it up hotter during certain periods?
A common question about energy is whether homeowners should keep the heat on low all day or turn it up at certain points to maintain a constant temperature.
Sarah Broomfield from Uswitch is an energy expert.
“But insulation is the real answer. Your home’s heat loss will affect how much energy it takes to maintain its temperature.
This means that heating your home all day can be very costly for people who live in poorly insulated properties.
It is possible to reduce your energy consumption by taking steps to increase insulation. This can be done with double glazing, cavity walls, loft insulation, and draft proofed doors.
The most efficient way to heat your home with less energy is to program your heating system to come on only when it’s most needed.
“Modern room thermostats can be programmed to change the temperature and set a timer, so you can set the weekend alarm.
5. What is cheaper, an electric heater or a central head?
The Energy Saving Trust said for heating the same space, using an electric heater is more than twice as expensive as using central heating.
Electric radiators are more affordable if you heat a smaller area, such as one or two rooms.
The type of heater that you use will also play a role, as well, like a electric convector heater or halogen heater.
You would be able to save a lot of money depending on several variables, such as the ceiling height and insulation.
6. Should heating be turned off completely or on at low setting?
If you are going on holiday for an evening, or to spend the winter with your family, it is tempting for households to turn up the heating even though no one is home.
Some people will worry that pipes may freeze in cold weather, while others might want their homes to be warm upon their return.
Whatever the reason, it is actually a good idea to leave the heating on to some degree in winter, even if you are away, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
You can stop pipes from freezing by doing this.
Consumers are advised to keep their temperature down at least 12 degrees when they’re away.