HEATING experts are warning households to get their radiators checked to slash bills.
Thousands of households could be paying more to heat their home because of hidden radiator sludge.
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When radiators are choked with sludge inside, heat can’t circulate properly, and you’ll need to keep your radiators on for longer to heat the house.
This in turn drives up household energy bills at a time when the cost of gas and electricity is high.
The average household saw their bills increase to £2,500 a year – up from £1,971 at the start of the month.
And while the new Energy Price Guarantee saves the average household £1,000 over the next year – many are looking to cut costs.
The EPG puts a cap on the wholesale cost of domestic gas and electricity for those on the standard variable tariff.
But the cap only limits the amount firms can charge customers for each unit of energy.
So if you use more energy than the average household, expect to pay more than £2,500 a year – and that’s why it’s important to cut costs where you can.
Heating experts and ADEY said that the water quality in central heating systems is a leading cause of boiler breakdown and can reduce your radiator output by up to 47%.
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What’s worse, 52% of 2,000 homeowners were unaware that they could cut their bills if they regularly get their central heating system flushed.
According to ADEY’s research, only 7% have invested in a filter and only 8% have flushed their system to remove sludge.
But if households do get rid of the sludge in their pipes, it can instantly improve the heat output of their radiators and slash bills by up to 7%.
Bills could drop because you wont need to put on your central heating for as long because your radiators will work more efficiently.
Sludge acts as an insulator and lowers the amount of heat your radiator can pump out.
Ask your plumber to test the water in your central heating system and if it’s dirty they can clean it and take action by flushing the system or adding a filter.
How else can I cut my energy bills?
If you turn your boiler’s flow temperature down as well as any thermostatic radiator valves in some rooms – you could save around £180 annually on your energy bills.
Topping up loft insulation and switching to a smart meter can bring a household a further £230 worth of annual savings, according to Nesta.
It is also important to ensure that when your boiler’s running that there’s no draught.
Ventilation is good for health and air quality but it’s the first place where heat will escape.
If there’s a draught, grab a draught excluder and plug the gap. You should also ensure your windows are closed before the sun sets.
It’s also worth closing your curtains before it gets dark as the heat will then stay inside your home.
Another great way to ensure you save money is to turn off your boiler when you’re not using the water.
Most boilers or thermostats have a setting to allow you to schedule when the heating turns on and off.
Consider what rooms in your home need heating. You won’t be using each one 24/7 so make sure the heating is off in any rooms that aren’t occupied.
If you spot rust on your boiler then it could mean you’re paying more than you need to on using your appliance.
Although rust itself does not cause issues, it could be a sign that there is a leak – which indicates there is a problem with your boiler.
It can also upset the temperature balance in your boiler, making it run less efficiently and ramping up costs.
There is also a list of other common boiler problems we’ve rounded up that could be pumping up your bills.
A noisy boiler could also indicate that your water pressure is low or there’s a pump failure.
