MILLIONS of households are trying to save money on energy bills, and a common household item could shave £50 off costs per year.
Keeping cold air out and hot air in with a draught excluder could help save you money this winter.
The energy price cap has fallen from £2,074 to £1,923, the lowest figure since March 2022.
However, many households will still be looking to cut back on their energy usage in order to keep their bills as low as possible.
Using a draught excluder is one way to cut your energy usage.
Placing draught excluders around windows and doors could save you £50 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
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This is because keeping chills out will keep your house warmer and it means you're less likely to use your heating as much – saving you money on your bill.
Grace Forell, a consumer expert at Which? put draught excluders to the test to see which one was the most effective.
She tried a fabric excluder, which can cost up to £25 at retailers like Dunelm, as well as rubber and brush versions.
Rubber and brush draught excluders can cost up to £30 at Screwfix and Toolstation.
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But for those on a budget,Which? found that old towels can be just as effective at plugging any gaps.
And if you have some stashed in the back of a cupboard at home, you won't need to pay a penny.
Grace Forell, Which? consumer expert, said: "The best places to draught proof are windows, doors, chimneys, fireplaces, skirting and loft hatches.
"You can get a professional installer to do this for you, but doing it yourself may be a lot cheaper – and you might be able to do so with items you already have around your home.
"Which? recently tested different under-door draught excluders and were pleasantly surprised to find that just placing a towel over the gap under a door worked as well as, if not better, than the best draught excluders that you can buy from the shops."
How else can I save money on bills?
There are a number of cheap and easy ways to heat your home – and save money on your bills.
A cheap way of putting on the heating is by only turning the radiators on in the rooms you are using.
How much you can save from this varies on a number of factors, such as how big your house is for example.
A classic money-saving energy bill trick is to turn your thermostat down by one degree.
This can shave as much as £100 off your bill.
If you're tempted to turn it up a notch when the weather turns, reach for a jumper instead to avoid a bill sting.
Putting foil behind your radiator could save you £20 a year, according to British Gas engineer Joanna Flowers.
Instead of your radiator blowing hot air at the wall, putting the foil behind the radiator will reflect it, and more hot air will be circulated around your home.
Energy suppliers offer cash grants to those hardest hit by bill rises.
The British Gas hardship fund can give you up to £1,500 free cash towards bills.
You can get £150 off your energy bills with the Warm Home Discount scheme.
When temperatures plummet, those in low-income households can get a £25 Cold Weather payment.
If you're worried about falling behind on bills or if you're in debt, there are plenty of organisations where you can get free advice, including:
- National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
- Step Change – 0800 138 1111
- Citizens Advice – 0808 800 9060
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
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