Four simple checks to slash up to £360 off your energy bills before winter – and it takes just minutes

Credit: Grace Cary WINTER is coming, and Brits are being urged to take action now to stop hundreds of pounds in energy bill costs leaking out of their homes this winter. Energy experts warn that leaving your heating prep until the first big freeze could cost you dearly. Don’t let your hard-earned cash burn through the roof this winter Credit: Aitor Diago Sign up with Switchcraft in under three minutes But a few simple checks today can keep your house warm and your cash firmly in your back pocket – and they take just minutes. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Switch tariffs automatically to lock in lower bills Switching energy suppliers can instantly save hundreds each year. Credit: monkeybusinessimages If you’ve drifted onto a standard variable tariff, you’re almost certainly paying over the odds. Fixed rates and cheaper tariffs are on the market, but comparing prices every few months is a hassle most of us forget to do. That’s where Switchcraft comes in. It acts as your personal bill watcher, automatically switching you to a cheaper energy deal whenever a better tariff pops up so you never overpay again. Switching takes under five minutes, and auto-switching services like Switchcraft do the hard work for you by hunting down cheaper tariffs automatically year-round. Currently, all energy suppliers in the UK charge exit fees. Most read in Money With Switchcraft, they won’t switch you while you’re mid-contract. Their automated technology will only switch you when it’s safe to do so, giving you peace of mind about exit fees. Bleed your radiators to stop cold spots Trapped air causes up to 20% of radiator heat loss, bleeding them restores full warmth instantly. Credit: gevende If your radiators are hot at the bottom but ice-cold at the top, trapped air is forcing your boiler to work double-time. Grab a radiator key, bleed out the trapped air until water appears, and watch your rooms heat up twice as fast for less money. If you don’t already have one, you can buy a radiator key for as little as £2.99 for two from Amazon. Turn down your flow rate Low boiler pressure forces your system to overwork, spiking your monthly energy use. Credit: Jacob King/PA Wire Most combi boilers are set to heat water to 70°C or 80°C out of the box. Turning your boiler’s flow temperature down to 60°C won’t make your house feel any colder, but it allows the boiler to run at peak efficiency, shaving up to 8% straight off your gas bill. To lower the temperature of your boiler, look for the radiator icon. This is the symbol for the flow temperature – turn it down to the setting you want. Banish draughts on the cheap Switchcraft do the work for you, to keep you on the best deal automatically. Credit: demaerre You don’t need expensive double glazing to stop heat escaping. Stick self-adhesive draught excluder tape around leaky doors and windows, and pop a classic “snake” cushion in front of chilly door gaps. It costs pennies at local hardware shops but saves a bundle. Don’t wait for the frost to bite, sign up to Switchcraft today to automate your switching, beat the price hikes, and get your home winter-ready for less.