Are you worried about the cost of your heating bill? Many of us simply switch off the central heating during the summer months. This is all well and good during the warm season but as the cold creeps in, we need to look after our homes and ourselves with heat. Let’s explore some of the top ways of how to save on heating bill. Not only will this save energy, but you’ll save money too.
Check Your Tariff
One of the first things to do is check what tariff you are on with your energy company. Whilst there isn’t a lot of wiggle room at the moment with energy companies and the higher than previous cost of utilities, there could be a better tariff for you. Whilst it could only be a percentage point below the price cap, which is still a saving. You might also be able to lock in for a year or longer at a price you are happy with. This gives you reassurance that potential price hikes during that time are not going to impact you.
You should also check that you aren’t paying too much each month. The general idea is that we build up credit during the summer months to help pay for the winter months. The stats show that the average UK energy bill is around £2100 a year. Obviously, if you use more you’ll pay more. Use less, pay less. However, this average price gives us a number to work off. £2100 divided by the twelve months of the year gives a monthly cost of £175. If you are paying more than that, or have a lot of credit banked with your energy company, you need to give them a call. You might be able to bring down that monthly cost and also claim back some of the money you have built up in credit.
Some companies have refer-a-friend schemes that will give you some credit should you make a referral. This is a great way of getting some free energy!
Heat Specific Rooms
With winter on the way, knowing how to save on heating bill payments is important. Think about what happens when you turn the central heating on in your house. What actually happens? Most of us have radiators in each of the rooms in our homes. But are you spending any time in those rooms? If you work from home during the day, why are you heating anywhere but the office? If you have a spare room that is hardly ever used, why would you want a radiator pumping out heat there? Turning down the radiators that aren’t needed can conserve energy and hence save you money.
You should also look online about how to turn down the flow rate of your boiler. There was a big marketing campaign about this online not so long ago. This can help save you some cash.
Heat The Person
Many of us simply can’t afford to put the central heating on, even during the coldest of weeks. In this case, you need to look into heating the person rather than the home. There are lots of ways to heat an individual. The basic ones you can do right now are layering up with clothes. Extra blankets on the bed will keep you warm during the night.
You might have also seen heatable attire advertised online. There are lots of items such as gloves and gilets that can be warmed up via USB. Whilst this will cost money as an initial investment, these can be recharged and used over and over again. They are well worth a look when looking at how to save on heating bill.
Turn It Down
A simple but effective way to save money on your energy bills is by turning your thermostat down. Most of us find a comfortable temperature somewhere between 18°C and 21°C. Did you know that dropping it by one degree can save up to 10% off your energy bill? If you usually have your thermostat at 20°C, see if 19°C is noticeable this year.
You could also start at a much lower temperature when you first turn your central heating back on. Then increase it should you need to once it starts getting colder. Remember to turn your thermostat down if you are away for a few days too. Be sure that it comes on to protect your pipes in the event of frost though!
Insulation & Improvements
How well insulated is your home? Do you feel drafts? Are you losing heat behind radiators? There are lots of ways we can improve our houses to keep the heat we are paying for inside. Take 10 minutes to walk around your property and see where things can be changed for the better. This could be cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, or replacing those old dilapidated radiators with energy-efficient ones.
Be sure to service your boiler every 12 months. When your boiler is working effectively it is working efficiently. Any errors or issues with your boiler can mean that it’s wasting energy and costing more money.
Smart Technology
Have you considered utilising smart technology to save you money on your energy bills? Smart thermostats can actually learn what you need in terms of heating, and save you money. You can also connect to your home heating via an app and turn the heating on when you need it.
Going to be late home? Delay when the heating comes on? Has it started snowing? At the touch of a button, you can bring your heating to life.
Lots of people say they don’t need smart technology but it can actually save you money in the long run. Another great idea of how to save on heating bill payments!
Final Thoughts
Our winters seem more brutally cold than ever. With that in mind, along with the cost of gas and electricity, we need to be mindful of how we are using our heating. By finding ways to slash the money we are paying we can improve our financial situations whilst also keeping our families warm during the winter months. Look into how to save on heating bill payments and you’ll bring down how much you are shelling out each money.
