Hot tips: expert ways to save on heating bills this winter
Hot tips: expert ways to save on heating bills this winter
From zero cost actions to investment ideas, Energy Saving Trust shares advice to help reduce winter heating bills
Energy prices will be changing this Sunday 1 October, but the costs will remain high. This latest change in prices will only reduce a typical household’s energy bills by around £150 a year1, meaning they’re still hundreds of pounds more expensive than they were two years ago2.
As we head into winter and temperatures start to drop, many people will be concerned about the cost of heating their home.
To help households save money and energy, Energy Saving Trust is sharing tips to reduce heating costs while keeping homes comfortable this winter and beyond.
Our experts suggest some zero and low-cost ways to cut winter energy bills and also explain investment options for homeowners looking to make bigger savings in the longer term3.
Joanna O’Loan, Knowledge Manager at Energy Saving Trust, says:
“Whatever your budget, there are actions you can take that can help you save money on your heating costs this winter. Quick, low and no cost measures such as blocking up draughts or turning down your thermostat can help you start making savings immediately. If you’re able to invest, measures such as improving your home’s insulation will help you make significant financial and carbon emission savings over coming years too.”
Zero and low-cost ideas to make quick savings
1. Ditch the draughts
Draughts let warm air out and cold air in, meaning your heating system has to use more energy to keep your home warm. Fitting inexpensive draught proofing strips to windows and doors is a relatively quick and easy DIY job which could save you around £45 a year on your energy bills. When fitting, make sure not to block up any intentional vents as these allow essential fresh air into your house.
Potential savings: £45 a year
Top tip: If you have an open chimney, fitting a chimney draught excluder could save you a further £65 a year.
2. Draw the curtains
Closing blinds and curtains when it’s cold will help limit your home’s heat loss, meaning rooms will feel cosier and you might not have to spend as much on heating.
Top tip: Make sure blinds and curtains don’t block any heat from radiators from getting into the room. When they are closed, they should stop between the edge of the windowsill and above any radiators.
3. Turn down the thermostat
If you are warm enough, try turning your thermostat down by one degree, which could save you around £100 a year. According to the World Health Organisation, the lowest comfortable temperature for most people is between 18°C and 21°C.
Potential savings: £100 a year
Top tip: If you’re popping out for a few hours, switch your heating off and set it to come back on for when you get back. It costs less to set your heating to come on when you need it and just in the rooms that you are using, rather than keeping it on low all day.
4. Choose central heating over electric heaters
If you have gas central heating, it will generally be cheaper to use this rather than an electric heater. If you want to just heat one room, turn the radiator valves to a higher number in this room and a lower number in the other rooms in your home.
Top tip: Keep doors between heated and unheated spaces closed, as this will prevent heat escaping from the places you want to stay warm.
5. Keep your hot water tank cosy
Most modern hot water tanks have plenty of insulation, but an older tank might only have a small amount. You can add extra insulation with a hot water tank insulation jacket – these are inexpensive, widely available and easy to fit, and could save you around £45 a year on your energy bills.
Potential savings: £45 a year
Top tip: Insulating exposed hot water pipes is also an easy DIY job. Inexpensive pipe insulation is available from most DIY stores and fitting it could save you a further £6 a year.
Investment ideas to make bigger long-term savings
If you have £510 - £860, invest in… a full set of heating controls
Many homes already have a programmer, room thermostat and individual thermostatic radiator valves, but if your home doesn’t have any of these, installing them is likely to cost around £860. Using them correctly could save you around £120 a year on your energy bills as well as 310kg of carbon dioxide emissions - the equivalent of driving from Exeter to Hull four times. If you already have a programmer and thermostat, installing thermostatic radiator valves is likely to cost around £510 and could save you £40 a year on your energy bills as well as 95kg of carbon emissions.
If you have £1,700, invest in… cavity wall insulation
Homes built from the 1990s onwards usually already have cavity wall insulation, but if your home was built earlier and has wall cavities free from damp or structural issues, adding insulation will save you money on your energy bills. Installing cavity wall insulation in a typical semi-detached home is likely to save you about £265 a year on bills, meaning you could be paid back for the investment in around seven years. You’ll also save around 650kg of carbon emissions a year, the same as flying from London to Lisbon and back.
For more energy saving tips: visit Energy Saving Trust’s website. All savings figures on our website will be updated ahead of October 1 to reflect the new Ofgem energy price cap coming into effect.
Support for households worried about their energy bills: the UK Government’s website has information about help with energy bills, including who households should contact if they’re worried about paying their energy bills or topping up their prepayment meter. Visit Energy Saving Trust’s website for an overview of the financial support available for making energy saving home improvements.
Hot tips: expert ways to save on heating bills this winter