Stay well this winter

As temperatures start to drop, there's lots of simple changes you can make around the house to keep warm in more cost-effective ways.

Use timers on your central heating – The Centre for Sustainable Energy tells us that programming your boiler to turn the heating on a little earlier – such as 30 minutes before you get up in the morning – but at a lower temperature, is cheaper than turning it on just as it's needed at a higher temperature.

Turn down the dial - Research shows that turning your thermostat down by 1°C could cut your heating bill by up to 10%.

Rearrange things - Arranging furniture such as sofas, chairs and dining tables away from chilly walls and windows will make things feel warmer. Also, keep furniture from blocking radiators as this will absorb the heat that could be warming your home. Moving furniture away from the radiator allows hot air to circulate freely.

Use your curtains – Open your curtains to let the sunlight in during the day. If you close them before sunset, they will act as another layer of insulation, keeping warmth in and night-time chill out.