Exact temperature to stop mould growing in your home as energy bills set to rise
Mould is a common problem and if left untreated, it can cause serious health issues - but there are things you can do to try and prevent it
An energy expert has revealed the exact temperature you should heat your home to avoid mould.
Mould is a common problem and if left untreated, it can cause serious health issues. It is caused by excess moisture and can appear on walls and ceilings.
But there are things you can do to help avoid mould growing in your home. Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, has explained the recommend temperature to prevent mould spores.
He told The Sun: "Keeping your home warm can help prevent mould from building up during the coldest months of the year. The Energy Saving Trust recommends that people in good health heat their home to between 18 and 21 degrees celsius."
Meanwhile, you should make sure your home does not drop below 15 degrees celsius to avoid condensation. Condensation can happen when warm air comes into contact with a cold surface.
It comes as energy bills are set to rise again this winter. The Ofgem price cap will rise from £1,720 to £1,755 for a typical dual fuel household paying by direct debit.
This will come into effect on October 1 and will last until December 31, when the price cap will be updated again. You will be covered by the Ofgem price cap if you are on a standard variable rate (SVR) tariff, so if you're not locked into a fixed rate deal.
But there isn't actually a total cap on what you can pay for energy. Your bill is still charged based on how much gas and electricity you use.
The Ofgem price cap limits what you can be charged for units of gas and electricity, as well as standing charges, which are fixed daily amounts you pay to be connected to the energy network.
The average unit rate for electricity is rising from 25.73p per per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 26.35p per kWh. The standing charge for electricity is going up from 51.37p a day to 53.68p a day.
The average unit rate for gas is falling from 6.33p per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 6.29p per kWh, while the standing charge is rising from 29.82p a day to 34.03p a day.
The price cap figure illustrates what someone with typical energy consumption can expect to pay each year. This is based on how much Ofgem estimates the typical household uses.
Ofgem assumes the average household consumes 2,700 kwh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas over 12 months. Where you live can also impact your energy bill, as unit rates also vary by region.
There are also different rates for prepayment customers and those who pay on receipt of bill.
