Winter is on its way to the UK once more and with it comes darker days and freezing nights, encouraging us to use more energy and heating than we do in the warmer months. With energy bills rising and experts warning to expect further increases in 2022, it makes sense to look for ways to cut costs on utilities.
It’s estimated that many Brits spend over £1,000 on heating alone each year, and with so many people now working from home or spending less time at the office, that number is guaranteed to rise. From closing doors around the house to investing in a new boiler, there are plenty of ways to reduce your heating bills. Here, we outline some key factors which could help you cut costs.
Consider a new boiler
If your boiler is old or it plays up every winter, it might be time to invest in a new one. The older a boiler is, the less efficient your heating becomes, so while it may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, you’re likely to find a new boiler runs better and may even reduce the cost of your heating bills.
A new boiler isn’t cheap to buy, so you may need to ensure you can cope financially with the additional cost. However, buying one when you’re prepared and financially able to do so will be a lot less stressful than having to replace your boiler if it breaks in the middle of winter.
Wrap up
Wear practical clothing around the house to stay warm, such as a thermal top over a t-shirt and a jumper or cardigan over the top. The more clothes you wear, the less likely you are to feel cold and reach for the thermostat.
Invest in good quality clothes made from fabrics which retain heat. Wool, especially the Icelandic variety, is much better at insulating heat than cotton or polyester material. 100% wool will be most beneficial, but it can be tricky to source, so a wool and acrylic blend is the next best choice.
Avoid letting heat escape
Keeping doors closed, especially those to rooms which are not in use, will help maintain the warmth of your home. It will also help to avoid opening windows around the house. Try to air your home as much as possible when the heating isn’t on to avoid letting the warmth escape outside when you need it most.
If there are any rooms in your home which are not occupied or currently in use, ensure the heating is disabled or reduced in those spaces by turning radiators down. The last thing you want to be doing is racking up your heating bill warming an empty space.
