15 ways you can save money as a tenant in winter

Winter can be an expensive time. It’s easy for heating costs to skyrocket, and then there’s the cost of Christmas festivities and gifts. So, here are our top 15 tips on how you can save money as a tenant this winter.

Reducing energy bills

• If you can, turn your thermostat down. Even just one degree will make a difference to your heating bill.

• Don’t leave electrical equipment on standby. Switch things off at the socket when you’re not using them – you could save around £45 a year.

• Only heat the rooms you’re using. For example, if you’re mainly using the living room in the evenings, turn the heating down or off in the kitchen and spare bedroom or study.

• Fit draught excluders to the bottom of external doors. If your rented home doesn’t have draught excluders on the doors already, ask your landlord or agent if they can arrange for them to be fitted. They’re not expensive and will make a real difference to the escape of warm air.

• Make sure furniture isn’t blocking radiators. If sofas and chairs are pushed up against radiators, the heat will be trapped and your rooms won’t get as warm as they could, so give the heat space to circulate.

• If you have a chimney, get a draught excluder. As warm air rises up out of the chimney, it’s replaced by cold air pulled in from the outside, but fitting a draught excluder will help keep the heat in. They cost from around just £20 and could save you up to £90 a year. Do speak to your agent or landlord first.

• Get a smart meter. The detailed display lets you see exactly when and where you’re using the most power, so you can make changes where they’ll have the most effect on your bills. Do agree this with your landlord first.

• Keep blinds and curtains closed when it’s dark. The cold night air will make the glass of your windows cold inside and out, and if there are little gaps around the edges, warm air will escape. So keep the cold firmly outside by using blinds and curtains to create an extra barrier.

• Run your washing machine cooler and less frequently. Put washes through at no more than 30 degrees, make sure every load is a full load, and put through on a ‘quick wash’.
  
  

Spending less

• Have nights in, not nights out. Instead of meeting friends in bars and restaurants, agree to take turns hosting – you could be very surprised at how much you save on food, drink and taxis!
  
  
• Major on soup! During the winter there’s nothing more warming than a bowl of hot soup and it’s relatively cheap to make a big pot with just fresh vegetables and a stock cube.
  
  
• Check the cost of your internet/TV package. Companies are always doing offers for new customers, so it’s worth taking a bit of time to check price comparison websites and see if you could get a cheaper deal.
  
  
• Have one ‘no spend’ day a week. Challenge yourself to have one day a week where you don’t spend anything. Eat up what’s in your fridge and cupboards and avoid the temptation of internet shopping.
  
  
• Make ‘no gift’ deals with friends and family. While it’s very nice to give and receive gifts at Christmas, it’s easy to end up spending money just for the sake of having something to wrap up. So, why not agree to have a year off exchanging presents? You could agree to have a fun day out together instead – there are bound to be lots of free Christmas markets and events near you.
  
  
• Guard against car breakdown and repair bills. If you have a car, make an effort to help it stay in good working order through the coldest months. Fill up your oil, coolant and screenwash, get your battery tested and check the tyres every few weeks to make sure they’re correctly pressurised.