Storm Agnes is Turning Up the Weather!
All eyes on the UK as Storm Agnes approaches, with forecasts hinting that some pockets of the country could dip to a bone‑chilling 6 °C before the week’s out. That’s colder than your average bedtime sweater!
The New Energy Price Cap Is Here
Starting 1 October, the government rolls out a fresh price cap for energy. With heating bills rising, many Brits will be clutching their wallets and wondering, “How do I stay toasty without blowing my budget?”
Stephen Hankinson’s Heating‑Hacks
With a microphone in hand, Stephen Hankinson of Electric Radiators Direct shares the science behind the sweet spot for indoor comfort.
- Optimal temperature seal: 18‑21 °C keeps the living space pleasantly cosy and averts the urge to pull on extra layers.
- Insulation matters: On average, occupied homes feel about 10 °C warmer than the outside. That means if the weather drops to 8 °C or less, switching on the heat early could prevent the house from sliding below the recommended range.
- Night‑time chill alert: With autumn’s arrival, overnight lows of below 8 °C are expected in many places. A pre‑night heating schedule (an hour or two before bed) keeps the furnace humming, so you wake up to a warm nest.
In short, keep an eye on local forecasts, and if “below‑8” is coming up, a quick heat‑on spell at night can ward off a frozen morning.
Simple Ways to Slash Your Heating Bill
When the cold starts, consider lowering your thermostat a degree or two. Switching from 21 °C to 18 °C can shave about 15% off your yearly bill—roughly £300 based on average usage!
- Hot Water Bottles: Great for sofa evenings; just boil a kettle—costs a quick 6 p to warm up.
- Heated Blanket: A comfy 3‑hour sesh under a heated blanket costs about 9 p even at full blast.
- Smart Scheduler: If you don’t work from home, turn the heating on an hour before you’re up. Then off while you’re out. When you return, your home stays luxuriously warm.
- Vacation Mode: For trips, lower the thermostat to save money—a practical trick for when you’re not there.
With these small tweaks, you can keep your home comfortably cosy, avoid unnecessary heating, and still keep your wallet happy!
