Top tips for creating a cosy, energy-efficient home this winter
As one of the undisputed experts when it comes to all things property, who better for us to ask, "How can we be smarter about keeping our home warm, cosy and energy efficient?" than Phil Spencer.
Here are his top tips to create a cosy home this winter, while avoiding wasting energy and a shock bill.
1. Open those curtains
Don't forget to take advantage of the few hours of winter daylight to add some heat, by keeping the curtains on your south-facing windows open during the day.
2. And the oven door
A nifty tip for after you've finished cooking or baking is to open the oven door and allow it to add some warmth to your kitchen.
3. Re-arrange your room
If you can fancy a bit of a room change that will make you a bit warmer, move your bed so that it isn't against an exterior wall (even if you just leave a small gap between the bed and the wall).
4. Don't let money slip through the cracks
Whilst sealing doors and windows might be obvious, don't forget the less obvious places where gaps can let your heat escape, such as where pipes go into the walls, particularly around sinks and toilets.
5. Insulation
Insulation is essentially your home's winter jacket - make sure all of your walls and your loft are insulated or upgrade your current insulation.
6. Heat loss hack
Another nifty tip is putting sheets of tin foil down the back of your radiator - this helps to reflect the heat back into the room, keeping you warm and toasty.
7. Use a smart meter to monitor how much energy you're using
Because if you're generally in control of what you're spending, then you can feel guilt-free when you turn the thermostat up a degree or two for a cosy night in.
Request a smart meter
To see how these energy-saving hacks make a difference to your bills, ask your supplier for a smart meter.
Simply type your energy supplier into the box below and we'll connect you.
We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Affect Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We believe that Yu Energy are responsible for Ampower UK customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Yu Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Angelic Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We believe that SSE is now responsible for Atlantic Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We believe that Nabuh Energy is now responsible for Avid Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Nabuh Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We believe that Octopus Energy are responsible for Avro Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Beam Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
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We are connecting you to your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.
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We believe that Scottish Power is now responsible for Daisy Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
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Eon have informed us that Eon Next are responsible for smart meter installations, so you'll be redirected there.
We are redirecting you to the E.ON Next smart meter webpage. You can continue your smart meter journey at their website. They will take your request forward.
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We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Fosse Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
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We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Gen4U customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
We believe that Bulb Energy is now responsible for GnErgy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Bulb who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
We believe that Shell Energy is now responsible for Goto Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Shell energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
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We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Hub Energy customers (formerly Gulf Gas and Power). Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Hub Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
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We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
We believe that OVO Energy is now responsible for Lumo customers. Therefore we are connecting you with OVO Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
We believe that British Gas is now responsible for MoneyPlus Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.
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You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.
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We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.
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