Expert saving tips as studies reveal parents spend £200 MORE during school holidays

As new research shows that the average UK parent spends over £200 a week extra during school holidays¹, experts at BOXT have revealed how to save on home bills whilst the kids are at home. 

Andy Kerr, Founder at BOXT says: “School holidays can be expensive. The additional energy costs of having children at home are often forgotten about and not planned for, meaning that a large energy bill at the end of the month can come as a shock. 

“Having more people at home during the day will most likely result in higher energy bills as more appliances are used. This is especially true as we go into the summer months when parents will be looking at ways to keep their children cool and comfortable in high temperatures. 

“With this in mind, BOXT have offered their top tips on cutting energy bills during the half term.” 

Educate your children on the importance of saving energy

Whilst kids should not have to worry about bills, educating them on the importance of helping to save energy is a good idea. The BBC has a range of child-friendly information available to help them become aware of the impact of their energy usage. 

Simple habits such as not leaving lights, appliances and plugs on when they are not being used are great ways children can help to reduce your household energy use. 

Stop using standby

You’ll be surprised at how much electricity some household items use when you’re not using them, with studies showing that the typical household spends around £147² every year powering electronic devices left on standby overnight. 

Whilst it may be easier and quicker to put appliances on standby, there’s no reason for a games console or any other device to be kept switched on when it’s not in use, so make sure all plugs are turned off when not in use. 

Stay on top of the temperature in your home 

Spring evenings can be chilly, so if you do still have your heating on, turn the temperature down by one degree. You could save over £100 a year on your energy bill without feeling much of a difference! You can also use Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) to control the temperature in each individual room. Experts recommend that some rooms be kept slightly cooler than others, so setting different temperatures throughout the home ensures no energy is wasted. 

As we head towards the summer months, it is a good idea to note which rooms of your home hold heat more than others. In these rooms, you can use the TRV to turn the heating down to avoid rooms becoming uncomfortable and too warm. 

Programme your boiler 

Research, undertaken by BOXT, found that only 27.3% of people schedule their boilers³, meaning they’re unlikely to be operating as efficiently as possible, and homes won't be maintaining the optimum comfortable temperature.

Investing in a smart thermostat like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat gives you full control over the temperature of your home from wherever you are. This means that if you are out of the house, you can save money by turning your radiators down, and also ensure that the home is heated for your arrival by scheduling your radiators to turn back on an hour before you come home. 

For more information on how to save money on your energy bills, visit https://www.boxt.co.uk/,