By late September the mornings are already cool, and utility bills are about to get noticeably higher. The heating season officially starts once the average daily temperature stays below +8°C (46°F) for several days in a row — usually around mid-October, though local authorities can decide to start it earlier if it gets cold faster. This is the best moment to calmly plan your budget for the most expensive months of the year, instead of being surprised by a gas or heating bill in November.
Why count now, not when the first bill arrives
In winter, utility costs are always higher than in summer. Heating gets added, more electricity goes toward lighting and heaters, and in cold weather it is tempting to take longer hot showers and drink more tea. If you wait for the first big bill, there is almost no time left to adjust your budget. But if you start now, while it is still mild outside, you can spread the cost evenly and without stress.
Work out your real "winter" amount
Find your bills for heating, gas and electricity from last year's heating season — they may be in your mailbox, in your provider's online account, or in your bank's app, which usually keeps a payment history. Calculate the average monthly cost for the period from October to April. It is worth adding a small buffer on top of that number — prices can change, and the goal is not to guess the exact figure but to have a reasonable reserve.
Set money aside in small amounts — separate from everyday spending
Once you know the approximate amount, split it across the weeks or months ahead and start setting money aside now. The simplest way is to open a separate account just for this purpose. Most banking apps let you open a savings account (an account where money is kept separate from your everyday card, and which can earn a small amount of interest) and even set up automatic recurring transfers, weekly or monthly. The main benefit of a separate account is that money meant for utility bills does not mix with money for everyday purchases, so the temptation to spend it on something else is much smaller. You can review personal account options here: /en/best/personal-accounts, and savings account options here: /en/best/deposits.
Consider a subsidy and a small cash reserve
If your household income qualifies, it is worth applying for a subsidy in advance — this is state assistance that partially covers utility costs for lower-income families. It is best to apply before the season starts, so you are not waiting for the paperwork to be processed in the middle of winter. It is also worth remembering the situation with the power supply: during possible outages, card payment terminals may temporarily stop working. So keeping a small amount of cash at home is not about distrusting banks — it is practical preparation for the everyday inconveniences of autumn and winter.