With colder weather forecast this week for much of the country, temperatures are beginning to plummet after a mild start to autumn.

Earlier this morning, snow hit London with sleet blanketing the capital as an Arctic chill blasts Britain.

Drivers have reported getting stuck on roads, trains have been cancelled and warnings of more icy weather ahead have been issued as temperatures plunged to -11.2C.

Britons are also being told to expect icy patches on the roads and, as the cold flurries continue, a risk of power cuts and disruption to bus and train services.

On top of this, the temperature reading in the Scottish village of Braemar was described as the coldest Britain has been at this time of the year since 1998.

To combat this weather, millions of people across the UK will now be looking for ways to save money on their energy bills.

From bleeding your radiator to refilling engine oil, here are some of the most cost effective ways to keep your home warm and car running this winter.

One clever tip if you find your radiators are still stone cold after switching the heating on could be to bleed them, according to an expert from MyBuilder.com.

In many cases, air bubbles might be blocking up the pipework and bleeding a radiator simply involves releasing the valve and letting the excess air out.

The heating does need to be turned off for this process and you should use a tissue or rag underneath the valve to catch any water after the air has stopped hissing out, and close the valve as soon as water starts to come out.

Good insulation is also brilliant for protecting your home from both hot and cold weather.

Lofts are a good place to start, as this is often where the most heat is lost, so it is well worth investing in.

Adding roof insulation is a cost effective and cheap way to save hundreds of pounds on your heating each year.

To improve both the look and warmth of your home, the arrangement of your furniture can have a big impact.

Placing down a carpet instead of a hardwood or laminate floor can help you feel warmer on cooler days.

Additionally, sitting with your back against an internal wall will instantly feel a lot warmer, British Red Cross advise.

Opening your curtains throughout the day will keep your home warmer for free.

Even in the winter months, the sun provides warmth. But, make sure to close them as soon as the sun sets to keep warm air inside.

When closed, curtains act as another layer of insulation over the windows, keeping warmth inside.

Investing in thicker or thermal curtains are also great for temperature control and are quick and easy to install with the right tools or the help of a handyman.

To avoid icy cold chills seeping through gaps around windows and doors, draught excluders could be your saver.

Lining your windows with rubber seals and homemade crafted draught excluders can seal in some important extra warmth.

Even in the coldest months, your boiler does not need to be running 24/7 to stay warm.

In an ideal world, you should set your boiler to come on at the right temperature 30 minutes before you get up in the morning so it will have warmed the house by the time you get out of bed.

You can then turn it off 30 minutes before you leave the house and set it on for an hour or so in the evening before you go to bed.

To keep your car running this winter, you can avert this issue by charging your battery weekly, particularly if it’s older than three years.

Winter’s cold temperatures can slow the chemical processes inside your car battery, reducing its ability to hold a charge.

This reduced capacity can lead to a frustrating dead battery when you need to get on the road.

Use a voltmeter to ensure your battery reaches at least 12.4 volts; if it falls below that, it’s time for a charge.

Colder temperatures can also cause your tyre pressure to drop, which can be dangerous on icy roads.

Inflated tyres can not only improve fuel economy but help you handle your vehicle better in winter conditions.

When checking your legal tread depth, the minimum is 1.6mm but experts recommend changing tyres at a 3mm depth in winter for better grip.

Checking and refilling your car’s fluid levels on a regular basis is necessary for smooth and efficient engine operation during winter.

Your coolant level needs to be checked at least once a month to ensure the cooling system can handle freezing temperatures.

Equally, you should check your oil level once a fortnight to ensure it’s between the minimum and maximum markers to prevent engine damage, AVS report.

Keeping your fuel tank at least half full during winter can help reduce the chance of condensation forming inside, which can freeze fuel lines.

Running low on fuel can clog the system, meaning the pump and filters can become corroded, potentially blocking fuel which prevents the car from starting.

A full fuel tank avoids the hassle of a fuel-related breakdown in freezing conditions.