The cost of household energy is rising at a rate that we have never seen before. This is the case for the majority of households in the UK using alternative fuels. Homes not connected to mains gas, energy bills are rising at an even faster rate than other households.
Currently, there are 4 million households in the UK that are relying on alternative fuel sources to heat their home. Alternative fuels that most people use include:
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
- Heating oil
- Solid fuel sources like wood or coal.
Heating Oil
How to save money?
The price of heating oil can vary widely. To get the best deals, shop around and compare the prices. The prices tend to rise during winter time, therefore, the best time to get your heating oil during warmer seasons.
You can also set up an oil club to make even more savings. This is where several households come together and buy larger quantities of oil at a discounted rate. You can do this by asking neighbours or checking in local community groups.
Install a heating oil monitor which will be able to track your heating usage.
LPG
How to save money?
The first thing to do if you use LPG for your home is to compare the prices for different suppliers in your area and switch based on the best rate. If you are still in a contract, then wait until it ends before shopping around for the best possible price.
The next step is to keep your tank well-maintained to ensure you aren’t wasting energy that could be heating your home. It is also very dangerous to have a leaking tank if you use LPG.
Solid Fuels
How to save money?
To get the most out of wood for heating your home, it is best to only burn well-seasoned wood that is as dry as possible. However, if your wood is wet, you will waste heat by turning the moisture into steam.
If you’re using an exempt appliance, which is a device that has an exemption certificate from Defra and can burn wood and coal smokeless. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on maintenance.
To keep your chimney in good working order, get it swept at least once a year and twice if you’re burning wood or house coal.
The importance of insulation when using alternative fuels
Regardless of the way in which you heat your home, insulating is one of the biggest things that you can do if you want to save money on energy. If your home is poorly insulated, most of the heat will escape. This can be a waste of both money and energy. Investing in good insulation is a larger upfront expense, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Help available for those using alternative fuels
- You may be eligible for a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP)
- Switch from alternative fuel to a new heating system for free with the ECO4 scheme
- Get free insulation with Free Heating Scheme
Stay up to date on more information on how to get financial support for homes without a gas supply