In a recent revelation by a British Gas energy expert, a tip was shared on how to keep your home warm without turning on the central heating. Smart energy engineer Jessica Rawstron suggested a simple yet effective method – leaving your oven door open after cooking to allow the residual heat to warm up your kitchen gradually.
According to Jessica, many people tend to close the oven door immediately after cooking, wasting the heat that could be utilized. By leaving the oven door open post-cooking, you can harness the heat to maintain a cozy atmosphere in your house while enjoying your meal. However, it is advised to ensure safety by keeping children and pets away from the open oven door.
British Gas also offered various winter preparation tips, such as draught-proofing by sealing gaps around windows and doors. Additionally, it is recommended to regularly bleed your radiators and schedule an annual boiler service to ensure efficient heating.
As the UK experiences plummeting temperatures with yellow warnings for snow and ice in place, households are likely to rely on their heating systems more frequently. This comes at a time when energy bills have risen, with the average household paying around £1,758 annually for gas and electricity under the current price cap regulations.
The price cap, while limiting unit rates and standing charges, does not cap the total amount paid for energy, which still depends on individual usage. Customers not on fixed energy tariffs fall under the price cap system, with pre-payment meter users facing a yearly cap of £1,711 and those on bill receipt paying up to £1,894 annually.
The price cap is adjusted every quarter, with the next change expected in April 2026, reflecting the ongoing fluctuations in energy costs.