THE housing developers behind the new Canalside estate in Wichelstowe found that many people in Wiltshire are worried about rising energy bills this winter.

Just under half of the people surveyed by Barratt and David Wilson Homes said they were concerned that working from home during the pandemic will make their monthly costs more expensive.

Over a quarter of respondents admitted to wearing lots of extra layers or feeling cold during the day in order not to put the heating on until later in the day.

The homebuilders shared advice to help keep these costs down, such as using heating controls like thermostats and timing devices to set the rooms being used to a constant temperature, rather than heating up a space and allowing it to cool, then heating it again.

Scheduling heating and hot water to go on and off when needed can help reduce costs and unnecessary carbon emissions.

Selecting particular rooms and areas of the home to heat, like turning off radiators upstairs if spending most of the day downstairs, can reduce energy use and bills.

The developer has pledged to build zero carbon standard house types by 2030 and suggested small steps that can make a big difference, like not placing furniture directly in front of radiators, reducing drafts when windows and doors are shut, and tucking curtains behind radiators so that heat is not escaping through the window.

New homes are up to 65 per cent more energy efficient than older homes of the same size and produce lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ energy-saving features include installing the highest efficiency rated boilers available, increased insulation including in floors, walls and lofts to minimise heat loss and high-performance argon gas filled double-glazing.

Barratt Homes' Wiltshire sales director Andrea Pilgrim said: “We are proud to be building highly energy efficient homes in Wiltshire and we are passionate about playing our part in the UK’s green recovery.

“With so many more people now working from home, conserving energy and retaining heat is ever more important, and residents often tell us how much lower their bills are in their new home, which is up to 65 per cent more efficient than an older house.”