The clocks will jump forward this weekend as we officially enter British Summer Time. The time change can impact home energy settings and experts are urging Brits to make a few crucial changes to avoid a hefty bill.
The clocks go forward by an hour at 1am this Sunday (March 30), coinciding with National Price Hike Day on April 1. The increase in energy bills will see a typical household pay an extra £111 a year.
As bills rise, households are being advised to make simple adjustments to help keep costs down. John Small, home energy expert and founder of Ty Eco, warns that failing to reset heating and lighting settings could see people use 10% more energy, adding up to £200 to their annual bill.
He said: “A lot of people don’t realise that the clocks changing can throw off their home energy settings. If you’re not careful, you could end up heating an empty house or leaving lights on longer than needed, and with bills already high, that’s money down the drain. Here are three key steps all homeowners should take.”
The expert advises people to reset their thermostat so their heating systems don't run unnecessarily and add money to their bill. John said: "You don’t want your heating kicking in earlier than you need it.
"Older heating systems won’t adjust automatically, so it’s worth double-checking that your timer is in sync with your schedule.” He also recommends setting a shorter heating schedule as the weather warms up and the days get longer.
Some electric radiators and towel rails may also have internal timers. These timers won't automatically adjust when the clocks change so it's important that people check the settings.
John said: “Electric radiators are great for extra warmth, but if they’re running on the wrong schedule, you could be heating rooms when you’re not even using them. Check the settings to make sure they’re only on when you actually need them.”
He continued: "It’s not just your heating, any timed appliance may need updating to prevent wasted energy. Things like smart lights, slow cookers, and even coffee machines might now be switching on at the wrong time.”
