The winter months are fast approaching, and naturally, we begin – to keep the lights on for longer, and the heating gets turned up to combat the cold, chilly outdoors. Unfortunately, the cost of our bills is bound to increase due to the colder months, but thankfully, it doesn’t have to break the bank. To help you save money on bills, we have collected a handful of useful tips.
How can I save money on my winter heating bill?
One of the main challenges we often face during the winter months is the dreaded heating bill. From the thermostat wars with your partner to the kids leaving the backdoor open (and letting the heat out), keeping your house warm is a chore – but it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you are looking for ways to save on your heating bills (while keeping the house warm), one of the first things you should consider is upgrading your heating controls. In most cases, you do not need to replace your boiler in order to fit heating controls. Installing heating controls, like a thermostat, can reduce over-usage and keep your house warm, all while saving you money.
What should you set your thermostat at in the winter?
As outlined by Public Health England, the ideal temperature for UK households is somewhere between 18 to 21 degrees. This temperature allows you to keep warm, save money, and it is the most environmentally friendly.
Not only can you adjust the thermostat during the winter months to save money on bills, but you can also follow some of these simple tips and tricks:
- Layer clothing when inside and have a hot drink: Maybe, it isn’t cold enough to turn the heating up, so why not layer up? You can layer up, have a nice warm drink, and fend off the cold.
- Stop draughts: Your windows, doors, fireplaces, and various problem areas can cause draughts, so being able to identify them and prevent them from causing draughts is key.
- Insulate your hot water cylinder: This will not be relevant to those with a combi boiler, but if you happen to have a conventional or system boiler that has a hot water cylinder, this could help. Hot water cylinders heat and store water for your heating and hot water, but have you considered if it is leaking? In most cases, hot water cylinder jackets are very cheap, easy to fit, and they help retain more heat for longer – meaning you spend less energy heating and reheating water.
- Choose which rooms to heat: This could be useful for those that are working from home this winter. In many cases, not every room within the house needs heating 24/7, so why not be a bit more selective? For instance, do you need to heat up a spare room or hallway unless you are drying some clothes?
What are 3 ways to reduce your electricity bill?
Unplug energy vampires: Many people fail to realise that their appliances and technology drain electricity when they are not being used. Anything that sits on standby is most likely draining electricity, so why not unplug them? It could save you a considerable amount of money.
Are you looking for some more energy-saving tips? Here are some useful tips:
- Opt for LED bulbs.
- Invest in a plug-in timer switch.
- Buy efficient appliances.
- Install a new boiler.
- Wash clothes at a lower temperature.
- Be smarter about water.
- Invest in double glazing.
So those are our tips to save money on bills this winter. Make sure you check out our blog for more useful guides and information.
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