Heating and hot water account for over half of the average household’s energy bills, making it crucial to winter-proof your heating system to keep costs down. The UK Government has issued new guidance emphasising that there are “many low and no cost actions you can take to save energy and money over the winter period”.
‘Get ready for Winter’ tips suggest households could save more than £90 during the colder months by implementing a range of simple measures. Key suggestions include bleeding radiators, adjusting radiator heat in unused rooms, reducing the temperature of your hot water, and draught-proofing.
Many of these tips will not only save you money throughout the winter, but will also ensure that your home is heated properly, making the colder months slightly more comfortable, according to the Daily Record. Reducing heat in unused rooms could potentially save up to £40 annually.
Elimiante heat in unused rooms – savings of up to £40
Keep radiator thermostats lowered but not turned off in vacant spaces. Completely switching off radiators results in less efficiency as your boiler has to work harder to heat a colder room from scratch.
Moreover, completely turning them off could lead to dampness and mould issues.
Those over 65, under-fives and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable to the impact of cold temperatures. It’s vital to keep your home sufficiently warm, maintaining an indoor temperature of at least 18 Celsius – usually a setting of 2 or 3 on your radiator valves – to ensure health and comfort.
Lower hot water to 60C – saves up to £10 a year
Reducing your hot water to 60C could save you up to £10 each year. If your heating system has a separate hot water cylinder (not a combi boiler), consider lowering the cylinder’s temperature to avoid unnecessary heating.
The control for your hot water cylinder is typically found a third of the way up the tank. However, don’t lower the temperature below 60C, as this can promote the growth of legionella bacteria, which can lead to Legionnaires’ disease.
Repair any draughts coming into your home – saves up to £40 a year
Fixing any draughts in your home could save you up to £40 annually. This cost-effective measure can prevent heat loss and lower your energy bills.
Seal any unwanted gaps around windows, doors and floors that allow cold air in and warm air out. Be mindful not to block any intentional ventilation, such as extractor fans, underfloor grilles or airbricks, wall vents or trickle vents.
Window film, a type of temporary secondary glazing, can help prevent heat loss through glass. It’s available at hardware stores and online, and can be installed by yourself or a professional.
Bleed radiators
Bleeding radiators can make your home warmer and potentially lower your energy bills. This is achieved by eliminating air pockets that decrease the pressure in your radiator, meaning you don’t need to crank up the heat as much.
In order to bleed your radiator you should ensure that your heating is first turned off for around 30 minutes. You should also have a bucket or something similar to put underneath the pipes in order to prevent water pouring out onto your floor.
After this, you need to locate the valves on either side of the radiator then turn them clockwise. After this, simply inset a radiator valve key at the top of the radiator and turn anti-clockwise – if all has gone to plan you will begin hearing a hissing noise (this is the trapped air escaping).
To finish off, simply reopen the valves on either side of the radiator and turn your heating back on with its restored efficiency.
Regularly service boiler
Faulty boilers can pose a serious risk. During your boiler service, a Gas Safe registered engineer will check for leaks and problems, ensuring your boiler is functioning correctly, which could save you money on future repairs.
