Tackling draughts and turning down the thermostat this autumn could save householders nearly £100 per year, according to Midlands-based energy expert Ron Fox.

Mr Fox, who owns green heating and energy company Noreus, said turning down the heating dial by just one degree can save between £85 and £90 a year.

He added householders could take greater control over their monthly outgoings by learning a few simple tricks.

"People assume that energy saving is complicated and requires an expensive initial investment but significant savings can actually be made by amending our everyday behaviour and getting into good habits around the house," he said.

With this in mind, Mr Fox has put together his top tips for saving money this autumn.

Tackle draughts and reduce the amount of heat escaping through windows and doors. A study by the University of Salford showed that closing the curtains could slash heat loss by up to 17%, resulting in a yearly saving of as much as £100 a year.

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Wash clothes at a lower temperature. Reducing a washing machine’s temperature from 40 degrees to 30 degrees can cut costs by up to 30%.

Be kitchen savvy If you don't have a dishwasher, use a washing up bowl instead. Running water continuously while doing the dishes could cost up to £30 a year, according to figures from The Energy Saving Trust.

Switch off standby The average family could save around £30 a year by unplugging electrical devices and chargers typically left on standby. Switching off at the mains may also help to prevent overheating.

Insulate properly Without proper insulation, your home will literally leak heat and money. In fact, it is estimated that around 22 million properties in the UK could dramatically improve energy efficiency by measures such as insulation.

Mr Fox added: "Invest in a high-quality insulation material such as spray foam, which expands to form an airtight seal, leaving no gaps or spaces. Poor insulating materials tend to act like a sponge, soaking up moisture and making problems such as damp and mould potentially much worse.

"Making an investment in measures such as loft insulation and cavity or external wall insulation can cut heat loss by up to 98%, resulting in such significant savings that it pays for itself many times over."

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