As we head into winter and turn on our heating, many struggling households are feeling the pinch as their energy bills rise amid the cost of living crisis.
Leading consumer group Which? has issued key advice for those looking to keep their heating costs down in the colder months. From making small tweaks to your boiler, thermostat and radiators to bigger adjustments, there are several changes you can make around the home that could result in big savings.
It’s also worth exploring what support is available if you find yourself unable to afford your energy bills. Here are eight ways to save on your heating bills from experts at Which?, as reported by The Mirror .
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Tweak your thermostat
The first tip from Which? only takes a second to do, and is a simple way to start when looking at ways to cut energy costs around the home. If you turn your thermostat down by just one degree, you can save up to 10 percent on your annual heating bill according to the Energy Saving Trust.
The NHS advises that as low as 18°C is a healthy living temperature, although those who are more vulnerable should prioritise their comfort. Which? adds: “Try to make sure you're keeping at least one room at a comfortable temperature for you, and keep the doors closed as much as you can to keep that room as warm as possible.”
Adjust your combi boiler’s flow temperature
Another easy tip from Which? that only takes a few seconds, this one involves adjusting your boiler. According to the consumer group, households with a combi boiler could cut their annual heating bill by £112 if they adjust the flow temperature on their boiler.
Many boilers are set to heat 75-80°C, but Which? recommends lowering the flow temperature to around 60°C and seeing if this works for you and your home. “Lowering that temperature means your boiler uses less gas and operates more efficiently – meaning immediate cost savings for your energy bills while still keeping your home warm,” Which? explains.
Check other settings on your boiler
While you’re taking a look at your boiler, it’s also worth checking that it is running as efficiently as it can be. Which? says that getting your boiler serviced is worth the upfront cost to avoid costly repairs in the future.
A boiler engineer can also advise on whether settings can be adjusted to run more cheaply. If you’re in a rented property, you can ask your landlord to arrange a boiler service each year.
Insulate your boiler’s hot water cylinder and pipes
Another tweak you can make to your boiler which is relatively cheap and easy to do is ensuring that energy is not being wasted heating up the water in your storage cylinder. Which? suggests insulating the cylinder itself, as well as the pipes that come in and out of it.
“Water loses a lot of heat in transit, so it's a small expenditure for a good long-term saving,” the consumer group said. Buying an insulating jacket - which should be no less than 75mm thick - costs around £20, while wrapping the pipes in insulation is around £5 a metre.
Use thermostatic radiator valves
When it comes to your radiators, it’s best to ensure that they are fitted with thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) - these detest a room’s temperature and open or close the valve of the radiator to adjust. These will help ensure that your heating bills won’t be driven up by keeping rooms unnecessarily warm, Which? Says.
The group suggests using setting two on the valves for rooms you don’t use as much, and three for rooms you spend a lot of time in. The charity Nesta estimates that readjusting your radiator valves to just one setting lower can cut £68 a year off your energy bill.
Look into insulating your home
Some other adjustments that can be made around the home may prove costly in the short term, but are worth the long-term savings on their energy bills if you can afford the upfront cost. One of the biggest things you can do is insulate your home if it isn’t already.
If you live in a semi-detached house, having loft insulation installed by a professional would cost around £480, estimates the Energy Saving Trust, but would save around £355 a year on energy bills. Meanwhile, a detached house would cost around £630 upfront, and lead to savings up to £590 annually.
Limit your use of electric heaters
Some may be tempted to try alternative methods of heating their home in an attempt to stop their bills from climbing, but some popular choices may in fact prove more expensive in the long run. Which? advises against using an electric heater, warning that this is unlikely to be cost-effective over long periods of time.
While they provide a quick source of heat, electricity is much more expensive to use than gas - so if you have turned off your heating system to use an electric heater instead, you could find that your bills become even higher. Which explained that a 2kW heater used on its full output would cost around 68p an hour, based on the average unit price for electricity.
Check home grants available
Finally, it’s always worth looking into what help is available out there if you are struggling to afford your energy bills. There are several payments and funds that are specifically designed to help vulnerable households heat their homes through the winter.
The Warm Home discount scheme, a one-off payment of £150 distributed by energy suppliers, is available to pensioners and those who receive certain benefits. Meanwhile, those born before September 26, 1955 can claim a Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300.
You should also check with your energy supplier to see whether they have a hardship fund that you can access, including grants to help you pay off your energy debt. For example, British Gas has an ‘individuals and families’ fund that can be accessed by anyone - not just its customers - and you could receive up to £1,500.
Which? recommends checking the benefits calculator from the charity Turn To Us or using the government’s Help For Households campaign to see what support you may be entitled to.
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