Cutting the cost of your heating bills

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS, there’s nothing quite like snuggling up on the sofa with a hot cup of tea and the heating on. It’s one of life’s little pleasures, but it’s not one that comes for free. Rising fuel costs are putting a strain on many households in the UK. Former Prime Minister, Liz Truss, revealed in September the government’s latest support package, a cap on gas costs that could be worth around £150 billion. The move will cap energy bills at £2,500 a year until 2024, sheltering households from the true cost, which is predicted to rise to £5,386 on average by January.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Households not connected to standard gas and electricity contracts, such as those that use heating oil or who live on heat networks, will receive additional support in the form of a £100 payment. The cost of living crisis is real, and many families are finding it hard to make ends meet. It seems as though one minute we were sweltering through the summer and the next we’re turning up the thermostat, which, as we’re experiencing, is very costly.

ENERGY NEEDS
One way to keep your home at just the right temperature and automate turning your boiler on and off is to install a smart control. This can be retrofitted to your existing boiler and ensures you only use exactly the right amount of energy your home needs. However, keeping your home warm isn’t just about comfort. The right kind of heating also stops damp and mould in their tracks by keeping your home dry. It’s also important to make sure that you keep your home ventilated as well as heated to prevent condensation from forming.

HEATING SYSTEM
In a typical household, over half of the fuel bills are spent on heating and hot water[1]. An efficient heating system that you can control easily can help reduce your fuel bills. So what are the things you can do to make your home heating more efficient, and save yourself money?

10 TIPS TO CUT DOWN ON YOUR FUEL COSTS

1. Have your boiler serviced regularly. This will ensure it is running at peak efficiency and help to prevent any potential breakdowns.

2. Insulate your home as much as possible to keep the heat in, and therefore reduce the amount of energy that you need to use to maintain a comfortable temperature.

3. Use draught excluders around doors and windows. This will again help to keep the heat in, and draughts can be a major source of heat loss in a home.

4. Consider installing double glazing. This is a more expensive option, but can significantly reduce heat loss.

5. Use radiator reflectors behind radiators. These help to reflect the heat back into the room rather than letting it escape through the wall.

6. Only heat the rooms that you are using. If you have rooms that are not in use, then there is no need to heat them. This will save you both energy and money.

7. Use a thermostat to control the temperature to ensure you only use as much energy as you need. This will also prevent your home from becoming too hot or too cold.

8. If appropriate, consider alternative sources of heating such as wood burning stoves or solar panels. These can be more expensive to install, but can save you money in the long run.

9. Educate your family about energy efficiency. This will help them to understand why it is important to save energy, and how they can do their bit to help.

10. Finally, make sure that you are on the best energy tariff for your needs. This will ensure that you are not paying more than you need to for your gas and electricity. By following these tips, you can make your home heating more efficient and save yourself money.

Source data:
[1] https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/heating-your-home