With the price cap having officially been introduced on April 1, many households are set to struggle this year as the cost of living goes up.
Bills could rise yet again though in October 2022 meaning people are trying to find ways to cut down how much they're spending - especially when it comes to the likes of their energy bills.
Heating is an issue that many of us face - especially when we have the not so-sunny weather, which in Scotland as we all know, is pretty much every day.
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Experts have spoken out in their masses to help struggling households and now PlumbNation have revealed their tips to help cut your heating bill and combat increasing energy prices.
Jordan Chance, heating expert from PlumbNation says: "With the cost of living rising across the country, including higher energy price caps, many Brits will be feeling the financial squeeze.
"While many may be waiting for the temperature to change, there’s no specific temperature at which you should be turning off your heating, as it will depend on how well insulated your home is. Well insulated homes will retain their heat even when temperatures are low into the early spring, but every home will be different.
"It is also important to note that leaving your heating on low all day does not reduce your heating bills! Having the heating on only as and when you need it, is the best way to save energy. Using a thermostat with a timer offers a simple and speedy solution to controlling your heating effectively.
"With energy bills rising there are a few things you can do to help keep your home warm, and save money on your bills."
So how can you save money on your heating bills?
1. Upgrade your thermostat - especially if you live in older homes
Your thermostat controls your home’s temperature by communicating with your boiler. Thermostats, particularly in older homes with older heating systems, can degrade over time. Such degradation can lead to delays in your boiler switching on, or your home being heated at much higher temperatures than required.
Upgrading your thermostat could provide for greater accuracy in thermostat to boiler communication, preventing energy from being wasted, and saving you money. PlumbNation offers a variety of models, including smart thermostats that can be controlled from your mobile.
2. Draughts are not your friend
Stopping heat from escaping through unwanted gaps is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy and money.
To draught-proof your home you need to identify the problematic areas where draughts are causing issues.
These can include:
- Doors
- Windows
- Chimneys
- Floorboards
You can block unwanted gaps by using draught-proofing strips around your windows and doors, or flexible silicone-based filler to fill the gaps in your floorboards.
3. Layer up and don't increase the temperature
Instead of heating your home to be warm enough to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt, why not turn your thermostat down and put on a jumper?
Adding clothing layers will insulate your body and make it easier to regulate your body’s temperature so the more layers you wear, the less the heating will need to be on and thankfully by doing this you will have reduced your heating bill.
4. Select your furniture carefully
Soft furnishings such as curtains and rugs can make all the difference in saving money on your heating.
If you have a carpeted home then it will help to boost insulation however, if you have hard flooring, it won't be as affective.
In this case, you should investing in some good quality materials such as a plush rug to help to prevent heat escaping.
5. Turn your thermostat down - even if it's just by 1C
An excessive heating bill can be easily rectified with the ‘step-down’ challenge. By turning your heating down by just 1°C, you can save up to 10% on your heating bill.
The typical heating range is between 18- 21° so see how low you can have it and still feel warm. It is also important to avoid classic thermostat ‘faux pas’. Contrary to popular belief, turning up your thermostat does not heat up your room quicker and this method will only send your energy bills skyrocketing - something you're trying to avoid.
6. Clean your radiators on a weekly basis to help heat your room
If your radiators aren’t in your weekly cleaning routine, then it’s time to add them. A build-up of dust can affect your health, allergies and your heating bill. Layers of dust in your radiator can prevent heat from escaping effectively, meaning your radiators will have to work harder to warm your room.
7. Keep your clothes off the radiator - even if you want them to dry fast
If you have a pair of socks or a top that you want to wear that day or you're simply just wanting to dry your clothes on the radiator, experts have said that this is not a good idea and that you stop using your radiators to do so.
This is because the clothes you place on top prevents heat from escaping and heating your room. This means that your boiler has to pick up the slack and work at a greater rate and thus increasing costs.
Similarly, the increase in the air’s moisture can create condensation, leading to potential issues with mould and dampness.
8. Check the quality of your radiator cover
If you have a radiator cover make sure to check that it is a good conductor of heat.
This is because covers made from materials such as wood are poor conductors and can prevent heat from being dispersed effectively - wasting energy and money.
In addition, if your radiator cover has a solid top then you may be losing even more heat, as it will be absorbed by the top of the cover.
9. Warm at the bottom and cold at the top? Bleed your radiators
Bleeding your radiator is essential in preventing the efficiency of your radiator from decreasing, as a result of air entering your heating system.
It's a quick and easy process and great way to check if air has entered your heating system. So if your radiator is warm at the bottom but cold at the top, this is generally a sign that air is present.
You can see how to bleed your radiators here .
10. Get your boiler serviced every year
If your boiler is getting old and has likely seen better days, there’s a chance it won’t be working as efficiently as it once was and in the long run this will only cost you more money.
Defective boilers can increase your heating bill massively as they will need to work significantly harder to bring your home up to the desired temperature. We recommend that you get your boiler serviced every 12 months (preferably before the winter season), to ensure that your boiler is running efficiently and safely.
