Keeping the heating bills down this winter
As the nights draw in and temperatures begin to plummet, it’s time to start preparing your home for the winter months ahead.
Rather than panic about rising heating bills, have a look at a few of our top tips for staying warm this winter and see what you can do to winter-proof your home…
Small ways to make a difference
Draughts are terrible chill culprits and if you have small gaps under doors or around window frames, you could be letting all your lovely warm air escape. Try draught excluder strips or expanding foam for windows and doorframes and buy heavy excluders to place at the foot of your doors.
It’s also worth thinking about which rooms you use most. If you have a spare room or living room you don’t spend a lot of time in, turn your radiator off or right down. Be sure to also keep your curtains tightly closed when you’re not using a room, as this can help you seal in the warmth.
Old fashioned hot water tanks can be another big way to waste heat as a lack of insulation means your hot water cools down all too quickly. Remedy the problem by wrapping the tank with a British Standard cylinder jacket – a nifty money saver you can pick up for well under ten pounds.
An extractor fan is great for keeping your kitchen smoke-free and stopping your bathroom from getting damp, but’s also a big drain on your energy. Make sure you turn your fan off straight after use or install a timer so you’re not accidentally driving your bills up without boosting your heat.
Big changes for maximum impact
There are also some significant changes you can make to your home that will save you money on your heating bills for years to come. Start by having your boiler checked, as an inefficient boiler could be costing you cash every single day. According to the Energy Saving Trust, replacing a ‘G-rated’ boiler with a more efficient model could save you up to £340 a year.
Insulation is another area that’s well worth looking into if you think you’re spending too much money on your heating bills. Houses lose heat through the attics, roofs and walls as well as through windows and doors. With the right type of insulation, you can hang on to your heat and minimise wastage. It may be possible to get free insulation for you home, check Which? for some potential options.
You may even want to consider changing your boiler.
From small tweaks to major overhauls, there are lots of ways to stay a little bit warmer this winter without raising your heating bills.
So tell us: what are your best tips for keeping heating bills low this winter?
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
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