UK households who have a thermostat must use button for free £100

A heating expert has explained how to reduce energy bills amid a Winter Fuel Payment change. The new Labour Party government and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will slash Winter Fuel Allowances and limit it to pensioners who receive Pension Credit.

Ahead of a new energy price cap on October 1, which will see bills rise from October 1 to January 1, Andy Kerr, founder of heating specialists BOXT, ihas shared handy tips which may see you cut £100 from your next energy bill.

"You can significantly reduce your energy usage by lowering the central heating temperature down by just one degree and you will not even be able to feel the change in the room temperature. This small change could reduce your heating expenses by up to 10 percent, meaning that by lowering the thermostat by only one degree, you might save more than £100 a year on energy bills," he said.

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In his guide, he tells households to bleed radiators and use smart meters where possible. Andy explained: "Smart meters can help to eliminate inaccurate bills, as they feed back directly to your energy supplier, therefore you shouldn't get an unexpectedly high bill."

He went on to say: "Using smart technology like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat can help with ensuring you aren't wasting any energy on heating your home, as you can set schedules around your usual routine and lifestyle to make sure your heating is only on when someone will be at home, saving you up to 10% annually on your energy bills."

And the expert also reckons there's a way to boost your savings by even more - and get another £500 back. He said: "If your boiler is over 15 years old, it is worth considering upgrading it. Depending on the efficiency rating of your current boiler and the type of home you live in, you could save almost £500 a year on your energy bills simply by upgrading to a new rated A boiler."