Boiler button you need to switch to activate ‘summer mode’ and save £20 a month on energy bills
HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of a button they need to press to help save £20 on their energy bills now that the weather is warmer.
Customers can save cash by pressing the “summer mode” button on their boiler.
The button can be found on most modern boilers and works by turning off the central heating but not hot water.
Typically the mode can be activated by clicking on the sun or tap icon on your boiler.
If unsure, customers should look at their boiler manual for the “summer” or “hot water only” mode.
You can even look up your manual online by searching for the exact model.
If that fails you could consult a professional for help on the matter.
This is a better method than turning off your central heating completely, as that can lead to valves and pumps seizing up due to lack of movement.
Boiler expert Nils Hoogervorst, of solar energy supplier GreenMatch, said using summer mode can help customers save £20 a month.
He told readers of The Daily Mail that it can help “decrease energy bills by more than 10 per cent”.
If you are keen to use summer mode it is best to wait until temperatures are consistently 14C outside.
Energy bills tend to fall over the summer as households use their central heating less when it’s hot outside.
Analysts at Cornwall Insights said the cost of energy bills will fall to £1,683 from July, representing a drop of almost 9% on April’s £1,849 cap.
But this is just a prediction and Ofgem is set to reveal the exact figure at the end of May.
There are plenty of other hacks that customers can use to help conserve energy over the summer.
For example, you can ditch using your tumble dryer and opt to dry your clothes outside.
HELP WITH YOUR ENERGY BILLS
If you are worried about rising costs you should be aware of help available.
The government’s Household Support Fund has reopened for applications, and it could see you get up to £500 to help with food and energy costs.
To claim, you will need to live in the council district handing out the support.
You can find out which local council serves your area by visiting gov.uk/find-local-council.
You can also get temporary credit from your supplier, but you will have to pay this back.
In many cases suppliers offer around £10 to £20 if you run out and can’t top up straight away to ensure that you don’t go without heat or lights.
Beware that when you do top up, this amount will be deducted.
You may also be able to get a fuel voucher through a little-known scheme.
This is a code given to you in a letter, text message or email which you can use to add credit to your gas card or electricity key.
Exactly how much it is can vary, but in many cases it’s £49, and you won’t have to pay it back.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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