Five tips for getting winter-ready

As the winter fast approaches, many homeowners may be concerned that they will not be able to afford the resulting gas and electricity bills.

However, by taking a small number of simple steps now, Britons may be sure that their properties are warm and comfortable places to spend the winter nights, without sky-high gas and electricity bills attached to them.

Five steps to lower bills

Online resource Moneywise explains that September marked the beginning of the autumn and before the clocks go back, homeowners should be taking steps to ensure their houses are ready for the coming drop in temperature.

"Remember, it is possible to stay warm without racking up extortionate heating bills - and cutting costs doesn't have to mean wearing a woolly hat and mittens when you watch TV" it states.

First on the agenda for homeowners is insulation, the source claims. With a quarter of a property's heat disappearing though the roof, insulation could save up to £150 a year on gas and electricity bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST).

This could mean that consumers soon recoup the money they spend on insulation through cheaper gas bills.

A new condensing gas boiler is also recommended as a way of keeping bills down by Moneywise, particularly as heat and hot water account for 80 per cent of the energy used in a home.

EST states that a condensing gas boiler can help to boost energy efficiency, as it converts more of its fuel into heat than a typical gas boiler.

And the final three tips for getting winter-ready are to install double glazing, turn down the thermostat by one degree Celsius and look for the best energy deal.

Make winter a green one

Although Moneywise jokes about wrapping up in woolly garments to keep gas and electricity bills down, improving energy efficiency in the home can be one way of doing just this.

Rather than turning up radiators and sitting in a T-shirt, a warm jumper and some extra layers could help to keep the cost of utility bills from rising.

And Britons could also ensure they have cheaper electricity bills by taking care with their lights. Once the clocks go back and the days get darker, households may rely more on artificial lighting, but they should take care to turn the lights off before they leave the room.

By following these simple steps, homeowners could enjoy a cheaper, greener and, if they're lucky, white Christmas.