Ofgem announced that the energy price cap will rise by 4 per cent from October 1
With summer coming to a close, focus is shifting towards the looming cost of winter energy bills, as the latest price cap announcement reaches its highest level in three years.
Energy regulator Ofgem announced on Wednesday that the energy price cap will rise by 4 per cent for the period running from October 1 until December 31.
The regulator said the cap will increase by £60 annually – equivalent to £5 a month – bringing it to £1,723 for a typical household using gas and electricity, if maintained at that level for a full year.
Ofgem said that this rise has been driven by higher wholesale gas prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with volatility in global markets continuing to be the biggest factor influencing energy costs.
This announcement has sparked concern across the country, with households bracing for a more expensive winter – particularly in those who work from home.
“While home working can offer greater flexibility, it can also mean higher household energy bills, particularly when heating, lighting and appliances are being used throughout the working day,” says Mark Sait, CEO of SaveMoneyCutCarbon, which helps homeowners and businesses cut energy bills and be more sustainable.
“The good news is there are some simple changes that can help people reduce the amount of energy they use, without compromising their comfort or productivity.”
Here are 10 ways to slash your energy bills while working from home…
Sait stresses that even small changes can add up to meaningful savings over the course of a year, and advises: “For anyone working from home regularly, it’s worth taking a step back to look at where your energy is being used during the working day.
“Understanding those costs is the first step towards reducing them, helping households save money while also cutting unnecessary energy use and carbon emissions.”
One of the most effective ways to reduce energy costs is to make sure you’re on the right tariff, says John Kirkman, a sales consultant at the energy price comparison site Love Energy Savings.
“Many people stay on the same deal for years without checking whether it still offers the best value,” he points out. “Knowing when your current tariff ends and reviewing your options before renewal can help you avoid being moved on to more expensive rates.”
However, he warns householders to not leave it too late to search for a new energy deal. “A common mistake is waiting until a tariff has ended before looking at alternatives,” he says.
“Starting your search well in advance gives you more time to compare suppliers, understand different products and secure a deal that suits your needs and budget.”
He adds: “Many people focus on reducing day-to-day energy use, but reviewing your tariff can often be just as important. Taking a few minutes to understand your options and check whether you’re on the right deal could help you make meaningful savings over the long term.”
Some energy deals have varied prices depending on the time of day the energy’s used – time-of-use (ToU) tariffs – and Kirkman warns that the cheapest option isn’t always the best.
The tariffs may offer cheaper off-peak rates, usually at night, and higher peak rates during high-demand daytime and evening periods, or standard flat-rate tariffs which cost the same all day.
Kirkman says: “Working from home patterns vary significantly from household to household, so it’s important to choose a tariff that reflects how and when you use energy.
“Reviewing your usage regularly can help ensure you’re not paying for a product that no longer fits your circumstances.”
Sait advises home workers to use smart controls where appropriate, explaining: “Timers, smart plugs and heating controls can make it easier to manage when energy is being consumed.”
And Joanna O’Loan, knowledge manager at the Energy Saving Trust, points out that a smart meter can help householders understand their energy use much better.
“Thinking about when you use energy can increasingly be just as important as how much you use,” she says. “A smart meter can help you understand your household’s energy use throughout the day and identify opportunities to reduce waste or take advantage of cheaper periods of electricity.”
While heating may not be top of your mind during the summer, it’s worth remembering that heating and hot water account for about 80% of a typical home’s energy use, O’Loan points out.
“Making the most of your heating controls is one of the most effective ways to cut energy bills,” she says. “Using a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves can help ensure you’re only heating your home when and where it’s needed.
“And if you’re comfortable doing so, reducing your thermostat setting from 22°C to 21°C could save around £120 a year.”
Sait says home workers should “heat the person, not the whole house”, so if you’re working in one room, consider whether you really need to heat the entire property during the day.
In winter, radiators can be switched off in the parts of the house you’re not using, and the door kept closed in the room where you work so you’re kept cosy.
“If you’re working from a spare room or home office, there’s often little benefit in heating the entire house throughout the day,” Kirkman points out.
It’s easy to just leave work items like laptops, monitors, printers and chargers on standby when they’re not in use, but Kirkman warns: “They all consume electricity. Devices left on standby can continue to draw power even when they aren’t actively being used, so turning equipment off completely at the end of the working day can help reduce wasted energy.”
Checking for draughts and plugging any gaps is a basic energy-saving measure that can be easy to overlook, and Sait says it’s particularly important to consider your workspace, as a poorly insulated room can need considerably more energy to keep comfortable.
“Small improvements such as draught-proofing can make a real difference,” he stresses. “Sealing gaps around windows and doors can help keep heat in and reduce the amount of energy needed for heating.”
Sait says it’s a good idea to replace standard electric bulbs with LEDs, which use significantly less energy and last longer.
Positioning your workspace near a window can help reduce reliance on artificial lighting throughout the day, says Kirkman.
“Small adjustments like this may seem minor, but over time they can contribute to lower energy consumption,” he points out.