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Ways to save money on your heating
Use these tips to make everyday changes and home improvements to save money on your energy bills.
As the temperature drops, the worry about increasing energy bills rises. But you’re not alone. It’s a difficult time of year for everyone, but by making these small changes and investing in new efficiency measures, could help save money. After all, lots of small savings soon add up.
Using these tips could help lower your energy bills and save money on your heating this winter.
1. Keep the heat in
Keep your doors closed and buy some draught excluders to make sure the heat stays in. There’s no point in heating your hallways or empty rooms. Get your curtains lined for an extra layer of insulation to help your home stay warm and cosy in the evenings.
You could also consider installing a specially designed letterbox draught excluder, to prevent cold winds getting into your home.
2. Think about your windows
Is there a draught coming through your windows? If so, it’s worth considering draught proofing your home. Ventilation can help to reduce condensation and damp but draughts are uncontrolled and can let in too much cold air and lose heat. Draught proofing your home could make your home more energy efficient and save you money on your fuel bills.
Source: Energy Saving Trust, November 2023
3. Get smart with your radiators
Sticking reflective panels between the back of your radiator could cut your energy usage by reducing the amount of energy loss through the external wall. You can do this fairly cheaply yourself by using tin foil but it may not be as effective as using reflective panels as foil can crinkle, rip and oxidise more easily, reducing the effectiveness.
Source: Moving Saving Expert, December 2023
4. Upgrade your thermostat
Look into getting a smart thermostat, if you don’t already have one. Smart thermostats let you control your heating from your phone, which means you don’t need to be at home to switch it on or off. That way, if you forget to turn it off before you leave your house, or if you’re running late, you can ensure you’re not wasting energy warming an empty home.
Source: Energy Saving Trust
5. Insulate your hot water tank
Uninsulated hot water tanks will cause water to cool more quickly. Continuously having to heat water will waste energy and money. By zipping it up in a hot water cylinder jacket, you can reduce heat loss. A British Standard jacket costs around £20 but could save you around £45 a year.
Source: Money Saving Expert, December 2023
6. Put down carpets
If cold is getting in through your floorboards, you may have to resort to more drastic measures such as laying carpet. This can stop draughts coming up through the cracks.
If the room is large and your home is Victorian or older, you may want to consider a permanent solution, such as installing mineral wool insulation between layers of floorboards.
Source: Ideal Home
7. Roof and loft insulation
Did you know a quarter of heat is lost through your roof if your house isn’t insulated? If it’s installed correctly, loft insulation can last 40 years and pay for itself many times over.
Source: Energy Saving Trust
8. Thick curtains
You can avoid losing heat through your windows by using thicker curtains, particularly ones with thermal lining. Or, you can line them yourself with material such as cheap fleece, just make sure they are fire retardant.
Source: Money Saving Expert, December 2023
Bigger ideas
Depending on your budget, there are plenty of bigger changes you can make to your home to save money on heating bills. Take a look at 10 ways to improve energy efficiency of your home.