Ways to save money on heating bills is a hot topic right now. With the recent price hikes on energy (and pretty much everything else, for that matter) people are looking for new, creative ways to bring down those bills.
These money saving tips are designed to work well together or alone. Small changes can make big differences, but implementing all changes will have the biggest result.
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Save Money on Heating Bills
It’s important to remember that your use of heating fluctuates throughout the year. If you pay by Direct Debit, then the cost is generally spread over the whole year, but pre-payment meters tend to work differently.
Chances are, if you have a pre-payment meter, then your heating spend will go up during those colder months. It might help to put money aside throughout the year so it doesn’t feel like such a shock in the winter.
Alongside spreading the cost of heating throughout the year, here are some helpful tips to bring down the cost of heating your home.
1. Bleed your radiators
This is a nice simple solution that doesn’t cost anything but could save you some cash. Inefficient radiators can be a strain on your heating system. It also means your room will take longer to warm up and you might be tempted to turn up your thermostat which will hike up the heating bill.
2. Update your boiler
Okay, so installing a new boiler isn’t exactly cheap, but the money it can save in the long-run is totally worth it. An old boiler, limping through the winter, won’t be energy efficient and will cost you more than running a new one. Older boilers use up more gas to heat your home, which can cause your running costs to skyrocket.
If you’re unsure what sort of boiler to go for next, or even have it narrowed down to a few options, WarmZilla have a handy boiler comparison tool to help you reach a final decision.
3. Cut out draughts
Draughts are the quickest way to lose heat from a room, and can end up being quite costly. Use draught excluders to keep the cold out and the warmth in.
4. Turn down your thermostat
While it may be cosy to turn the heat up to toasty temperatures, it’s not entirely necessary. Consider turning your thermostat down a degree or two to reduce your energy consumption. Instead, wrap up warm with extra layers like think jumpers and woolly socks. Hotter temperatures can dry out your skin, so an added bonus old a cooler room is a more hydrated complexion!
5. Bring on the blankets
Blankets don’t need to be confined to the bedroom, so why not get cosy on the couch with a blanket or two? It’ll mean your room doesn’t need to be as warm, but you won’t be feeling the cold!
6. Only heat rooms you use
There’s no point in heating rooms you don’t use, so turn down (or off) the radiators in rooms you don’t spend a lot of time in. I don’t heat my bathroom, because I find the general temperature of the house stops it feeling freezing, and no one spends a huge amount of time in there.
7. Don’t leave the heating on all day
If your home is empty, then you’re heating it for no-one and spending money pointlessly. Even if you are home most of the day, you might not need to heat it round the clock. Instead, think of putting your heating on a timer.
A popular way to save money on heating bills is to set the timer for the heating to come on an hour before everyone gets up, and just before everyone gets in in the evening. That way, it’s warm when people come home or wake up, but it’s not heating the house at unnecessary times.
8. Lower the flow
This hack has received a lot of attention lately as it seems not everyone knew it was possible. If you turn down the flow on your boiler, it reduces the temperature of the radiators. While it will mean your room takes a little longer to warm up. This can really help save money on your heating bills.
9. Spend time away from the house
If you’re worried about keeping the family warm during school holidays and heating the house during the day isn’t an option, then go out! Places like libraries and shopping centres will be warm all year round, free to enter and have free activities for kids. Certain councils will run funded holiday clubs throughout the school breaks meaning your children can be entertained and warm without you having to overspend.
10. Utilise fabric for insulation
While blinds and wood floors may look the part, they will make for a colder room. Fabric helps insulate rooms, so thick carpets and curtains will retain the heat better than a room lacking in textiles.
11. Clean the radiators
Radiators can get clogged and dusty, making their heat projection less efficient. Get down the back of your radiator with a vacuum or duster to help clear the dust and let the room benefit from being heated efficiently.
12. Add insulation
Older homes are often poorly insulated, meaning the heat will escape much faster. Adding insulation to the loft or even the walls will help keep your home more energy efficient and keep the heat in. If you rent, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t update the insulation, try getting in touch with your landlord to see if they are willing to facilitate it.
13. Apply for the warm home discount
If you’re on certain benefits, you might be eligible for a one-off payment of £140 towards the cost of heating your home. A few conditions need to be met, including being on a low income, in receipt of certain benefits and using an energy supplier who is part of the scheme. This can be a huge help in those colder months when you have no choice but to turn the heating up.
You need to apply for this every year and you application will ask a series of questions to check that your are eligible, before awarding it directly to your energy account.
14. Try not to dry clothes on your radiators
When you cover your radiators with anything, it stops them from efficiently propelling heat into the room. This wastes energy and doesn’t help you stay warm. If you have limited clothes-drying ability in your home, consider positioning a clothes drying rack next to the radiator instead of placing the clothes directly on it. This should should help save money on heating bills.
For more info check out the infographic below:
Infographic Provided By solar panel installation Columbia MD Company, Sunburst Solar
Do you have any tips to save money on heating bills? Share them in the comments below!
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