Rising energy bills mean the cost of keeping warm is an issue for many households this winter.
But there are some simple steps that can be taken to reduce your energy bill without compromising on keeping cosy.
We take a look at 10 top tips for saving money on your heating, which include things to do and things to avoid doing.
These include tucking curtains in behind your radiators to stop heat escaping, while not putting clothes on the radiators to dry, as this will block the heat from dispersing through the room.
We provide a list of little fixes that will help to keep your energy bills low this winter
John Lawless, of designer radiator company BestHeating, said: ‘Winter weather always sparks the debate around leaving your heating on low all-day versus a couple of hours a day.
‘Sure, your boiler will have to work a little harder to heat up a cold home when you first switch it on but having it on constantly will use more energy than just switching it on when you need it.
‘The best thing to do to lower bills and keep warm is to insulate your home, prevent draughts, and set up better heating controls. Don’t have the heating on full whack in a room you don’t use, just heat the room you spend the most time in.
‘Our advice is to heat smarter. You can’t control the weather but you can control your heating and how your home loses that heat.’
NetVoucherCodes.co.uk agrees, saying: ‘Saving energy can help you be more energy-efficient and considerate of the environment, but it’s also a great way to save money.’
Here are the top ten tips…
The things you can do
1. Use thick curtains
Having thicker curtains helps reduce the amount of colder air coming in, while also helping to reduce the amount of hot air escaping.
The thicker the material, the more heat will be contained. Also tuck your curtains behind your radiator to stop even more heat escaping.
2. Cover up exposed pipes
Exposed pipes allow for heat to escape easily. Try covering them in an insulating material to maximise their efficiency.
3. Only heat the rooms you spend most time in
Heating rooms in your home that you don’t spend much time in will not only be a waste of energy, but also a waste of your money.
4. Cover up draughts
You can lose a lot of heat from gaps in your doors and window frames. Make sure you fill in these gaps with a draught proof material, such as draught-proof strips or even just a thick cloth for a quick solution.
5. Turn your thermostat down by one degree celsius
Experts have proven that reducing the temperature of your home by one degree celsius saves you up to £80 a year.
Drying clothes on your radiator will block the heat from dispersing through the room
Things to avoid
1. Dry your clothes on the radiator
Drying clothes on your radiator will block the heat from dispersing through the room and will have to be left on much longer to have the same effect without a blockage.
2. Keep the heating on all day
Your home will take longer to heat up if you keep turning it on and off, but it will save you more money by putting your heating on a timer for a few hours a day. Try setting a timer on your boiler, so it only turns on for a few hours a day.
3. Allow your radiators to get dirty
If you notice any cold spots at the bottom of your radiators when the heating is on full this could mean you have a build-up of sludge in the system.
This stops the hot water circulating properly, stopping your radiators from getting hot enough when you need the heating the most. Give your radiators a good clean to make sure you aren’t wasting money on heating.
4. Turn your thermostat above 18 degrees Celsius
Research shows that the average thermostat setting in Britain is 20.8 degrees celsius. However, experts have stated that 18 degrees celsius is warm enough for a healthy and well dressed person to remain comfortable during winter. This will be controversial suggestiong for many, for whom 18 degrees might feel a bit chilly – and how you feel at 18 degree central heating will depend on how well your home is insulated.
5. Don’t place large furniture in front of your radiator
Blocking your radiator with furniture, such as sofa or a table, will stop the flow of warm air. This blockage will cause your boiler to work harder to heat your home, resulting in expensive heating bills.
