How to Save Money on Your Heating Bills This Winter

When winter strikes, all we want is to snuggle on the sofa and melt into a sanctuary of cosiness and warmth inside our homes. Unfortunately, the anticipated heating bill often puts us off from blasting the heating on and being comfortable.

Here is how to save money on heating without freezing to death.

Lower your thermostat

It's a common misconception that turning the thermostat up will heat your house quicker. The opposite is true, however, and this will end up costing you more money. Your house will heat up at the same speed, whether the thermostat is low or high, until it matches the final temperature that's been set.

Instead, set your thermostat at the lowest comfortable temperature. According to experts, if you turn the thermostat down by 1°C, you can save up to £80 each year on your heating bills.

The recommended room temperature is between 18°C-21°C for when you're in the house. Also, make sure you set the timer or programmer accordingly so that you come home to a nice warm house in the winter.

Dress for the cold weather

This might seem like an obvious point but many people get in the habit of blasting the heating on and walking around the house in shorts and a T-shirt.

However, by layering your clothes in the winter months you can save money on your energy bill. According to The Mirror, a light jumper adds around 3°C of warmth and a thicker one adds around 4°C. Given that every 1°C difference decreases your energy bill by £80, putting on a thick wool jumper can save you up to £320 a year.

Draught-proof your home

Before winter hails through the door, make sure that your house is draught-proof. Check that the doors and windows have no cracks, air inlets, or loose joints that can let the wind into your home. You can also insulate your walls and double-glaze the windows for extra protection.

While the majority of heat is lost through the walls, about 35%, the total heat loss of your house can be reduced. 25% of heat lost goes through the windows and doors, another 25% through the roof, and 15% leaves through the ground floors.

To reduce heat loss during winter, use door snakes to stop the air from entering your home and make sure the doors and windows are closed when the heating is on.

Make sure you're on the best tariff

In order to establish whether you're on the best tariff, try and understand your energy bill. Look at how much energy you use, what's your demand, and your peak times.

With the increasing gas and electricity bills this winter, it's really important to stay on track with your tariffs. Keep in mind that some suppliers have already gone bust while others are facing in that direction. So don't wait around and do your shopping around to secure the best deal if you're not already on it.

Replace your boiler

The recommended boiler life expectancy is about 10 years and boiler efficiency drops over time. Replacing your old non-condensing boiler with a new condensing one can increase its efficiency by 30%. This switch could save you between £45 and £300 on your yearly heating bill.

Inefficient boilers are also more likely to break sooner resulting in unexpected costly bills. They also burn more fuel which contributes to global warming.

Have your boiler serviced

As part of your essential winter property maintenance, make sure you have your boiler serviced at least once a year and preferably just on time for the cold weather.

Try to overcome the mindset that you need to call a technician only when there is an issue with your boiler. Having your boiler serviced on a regular basis means that you're saving money on major boiler repairs in the long run.

Your annual gas safe boiler service should include a check-up on the combustion efficiency and the burner air/fuel ratio in line with the manufacturer's instructions.

How to save money on heating bills is a common question during the winter months. Thankfully, you don't have to break the budget to stay nice and warm. Following these tips to reduce heating bills will help you battle the chills while keeping your budget intact.