We all know that winter in England can be chilly, and coming home to a cold house after a long day is not fun at all. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Keeping your home warm and cosy is not only good for your comfort, but it can also help you sleep better and stay more active throughout the day. And the best part? You don’t have to break the bank to do it.
With our energy saving tips, you’ll not only have lower heating costs and save money on heating, but you’ll also feel the benefits of a warm home too.
We’ve put together 10 easy steps to help you save money on heating bills, how to reduce your heating bill and other energy saving tips while also keeping your household toasty warm. Let’s dive into some cosy tips that will keep you warm and save you money on heating bills all year round.
How to reduce heating bill
1. Keep your radiators clear
We have all felt tempted to put furniture in front of our radiators at one stage or another, but please resist the urge where possible.
Move any furniture that might be blocking the radiator out of the way, as this will mean your house will warm up a lot quicker and therefore you won’t feel the need to turn the thermostat up and spend more money on your heating bills – resulting in lower heating costs.
2. Hot water bottle
This is by far one of our favourite energy saving tips of all time – the age-old hot water bottle. Make sure you have a hot water bottle handy for night and day. This is a great way to stay warm in the winter and it’s easy to use.
Did you know hot water bottles have a ‘use by’ date? Typically speaking, you should only be using a water bottle for 3 years before you replace it. You can find out more about hot water bottle safety here.
3. Keep the oven door open
When you’ve finished cooking, of course. We recommend leaving the oven door open once you’ve finished cooking, because the oven will keep its heat for at least another 15 minutes after it is turned off.
This heat will flow around your house very well – and since you have already paid to have the oven on, this is one of our energy saving tips we love to share to help you utilise the money you are already spending.
4. Upgrade your thermostat
Have you ever heard of a ‘smart thermostat’? It’s a clever device that can automatically adjust your home’s temperature based on your preferences. Plus, if you’re not at home, you can control it remotely using a mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
If you’re running late or decide to stay out longer, you can easily adjust your heating schedule to save energy and money on your heating bills each month. When you’re on your way back, you can use the app to turn up the heat, so your home is warm and cosy when you arrive.
Investing in a smart thermostat is an excellent way to save money and increase your home’s energy efficiency. With a mobile app, you can manage your home’s temperature from anywhere, giving you full control and peace of mind.
5. Check all your radiators
When was the last time you checked your radiators? To do this, just turn your central heating to the max heat setting and see how long it takes for the radiator to heat up fully. If you notice that it’s taking too long for the radiator to warm up or it’s not getting as toasty as it used to, it could be a sign that something’s not quite right with your heating system. In that case, it’s best to call in a heating repair specialist.
As heating repair specialists, we can take a closer look at your radiators and central heating to identify any issues that may be affecting its efficiency. From there, we can give you advice and make necessary repairs to improve your home’s heating system, so your house will stay warm and cosy all winter long.
Don’t wait until it’s freezing outside to check your heating system’s efficiency. Get in touch with us today to save yourself money in the long run by preventing potential problems from becoming more costly repairs.
6. Insulate your piping
Insulating your central heating pipes is quick, easy and affordable. All you need to do is cover your central heating pipes with foam easy-to-fit tubes. In the longer run, this should save you money on your heating bill, as it traps all otherwise wasted heat in the pipes, ensuring your system can heat your home more efficiently.
7. Stop the draughts
You are going to want to get yourself a couple of draught excluders – or, alternatively, stop the draughts another way. This could be done by applying thicker curtains so it stops draughts coming from the windows, or using draught proofing strips which can be placed anywhere the draughts are coming in from.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money stopping draughts, you can always make your own draught excluder.
8. Time your heating
There’s no point leaving the heating on when you are at work or in bed with cosy warm bedsheets over you – you’re already warm without having your heating on. We recommend timing your heating to be on by the time you wake up or come home from work. This way, you get the benefit of the heat when you need it, rather than wasting it on time you don’t.
9. Choose which rooms you want to keep warm
It’s common to have rooms in our homes that we hardly use, such as a guest room, storage room, or hallway. But leaving the radiators in these rooms turned up to full heat can result in unnecessary energy waste and higher heating bills.
To avoid this, consider turning down the radiators in the rooms you don’t use as often to save money on your heating bills while keeping them at a comfortable temperature for when you do need to use them.
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat (as we mentioned above), you can also set it to automatically adjust the temperature in these rooms. For example, you can program it to lower the temperature in the guest room during the day when it’s not in use, and then raise it again in the evening when guests arrive.
By being mindful of the temperature in each room and adjusting your heating system accordingly, you can save money and energy while still ensuring your home is warm and comfortable.
10. Insulate your home
Proper insulation plays a huge role in cosying up your home efficiently. Around 30% of heat gets lost through the walls in uninsulated homes, which is massive. This means that of the heating you are paying for, a lot of it gets let out. This fact alone is enough to make you want to get new insulation.
Adding insulation to your walls can make a big difference in your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. It creates a barrier that keeps warm air inside and prevents it from escaping, making it easier to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home.
If you’re unsure about whether your walls are sufficiently insulated, it’s a good idea to consult a professional insulation installer. They can evaluate your home’s insulation needs and recommend the best insulation type for your walls. They also have all the right tools to help fix any issues. It’s a bit like hiring a writer because they know how to create a great article with the help of writing tools. A specialist will know what to do immediately which can be a big time saver if you are trying to learn how to do it yourself.
We hope that our energy saving tips have been useful in keeping your home nice and toasty during the chilly months. We know that sometimes, even with the best efforts, things can go wrong. If you’re feeling like your heating system isn’t up to par, give us a shout. Our team of skilled engineers can check your boiler and give you expert advice on how to fix the issue.
We understand the importance of having a warm and comfortable home, especially during the colder seasons, so we’re always happy to help. Don’t suffer through the cold, just get in contact us and have a chat to see how we can help.
T: 01273 457742