UK households who have a sofa in living room being handed £100 each

October 1 will see a new price cap, with Ofgem hiking the cost for British Gas, EDF, EON and Ovo customers, as well as Octopus households, to an eye-watering £1717.
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UK households who have a sofa in their living room have been urged to move it before the new energy price cap kicks in on Tuesday. October 1 will see a new price cap, with Ofgem hiking the cost for British Gas, EDF, EON and Ovo customers, as well as Octopus households, to an eye-watering £1717.

Nicholas Auckland, managing director at Trade Radiators, highlighted that Brits could use more efficient thermostatic radiator valves or even just move some furniture around to help save on costs. A Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) is used to control the air temperature of a room by automatically adjusting the amount of hot water that enters the radiator they are attached to. Whether you want to create a different temperature in different rooms, depending on personal preferences, or you just want to introduce a more cost-effective heating system, the addition of TRVs on radiators gives you full control.

"There are reputable studies that show these cost-effective appliances can save energy by 18% on average," stated Nicholas. "The amount that you save on your bill will of course depend on your tariff, but it's a worthwhile investment regardless as you'll eliminate unnecessary overconsumption."

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The TRV mechanism consists of a valve head which will either expand or contract as the temperature in a room changes, shifting a pin which sits in the valve body. To meet the desired temperature that you have pre-set, the TRV valve will open or close to allow the hot water to enter the radiator and heat the room, or prevent the hot water from accessing the system. The main benefit of thermostat radiator valves is their responsiveness, continually adapting to any temperature fluctuations so you can enjoy consistent warmth in your home.

Nicholas advised: "I'd recommend keeping the end date of your contract in your calendar. If it's going to end before the winter chill sets in, reach out to your provider well before the end date. Use comparison sites and speak to other providers to negotiate a good deal."

During the colder season, it's wise to focus on practicality rather than style by adopting Nicholas' cost-cutting "1 foot rule". "While a few inches is all that is needed, I would recommend pulling furniture at least a full foot away from your radiator," he advised.

"The heat will more easily rise up, and this could save you up to £100 per year." He said: "Having furniture a little closer together also makes for a cosier setup. Add in some soft furnishings and the freed-up heat will then get trapped where you need it, rather than behind the sofa!"