When you should turn your heating on — and 8 tips for saving money on soaring bills
The temperatures are starting to tumble, but when is the best time to switch the central heating on at home?
Although there is no single temperature that signals when you should turn your heating on, many households aim for the day when the clocks go back. This year, daylight saving time ends on Sunday 27th October.
The experts predict many will turn the heating on as early as Monday 14th October. Les Roberts, energy expert at Bionic, says: 'Looking ahead at the weather forecast, 14th October will be the start of the temperatures beginning to drop across the UK, with the temperature predicted to be 13°C.
'Heating your home will stop the formation of mould and mildew, as well as minimise the chances of your pipes freezing over throughout the colder months.'
If you're wanting to keep your home warmer for longer, there are lots of ways to save some money. Draught excluders can block draughts from windows and other sneaky spots, while thermal curtain linings can help to prevent warm air from escaping.
With energy bills skyrocketing, here are some simple ways to keep those soaring bills down:
1. Switch to a smart thermostat
Future-proof your property by upgrading to a smart thermostat, such as one which can be controlled from your phone. Not only will it increase your home's value and desirability to buyers, but smart thermostats can also provide greater accuracy in thermostat to boiler communication, preventing energy from being wasted.
2. Draught-proof your home
Draught-proofing your home can help you stay warm, save energy, and reduce carbon emissions this winter. According to the Energy Saving Trust, it can save you up to £70 a year.
'Draughts in the winter will make your home feel much colder, even if the heating is on high. This will not only be uncomfortable for you to live in but it will also mean your heating is wasted,' says Adam Clark from My Local Toolbox.
'While you can pay for a professional to draught-proof, there are many ways to do this yourself. For example, foam seals or self-adhesive strips found online or in DIY stores, can be installed across door and window gaps yourself. Or you can simply swap your current curtains for thicker alternatives to keep window draughts at bay.'
3. Layer up
Cold weather may cause your electric bill to fluctuate in the winter, but one of the best ways to keep costs down is to simply layer up with a warm jumper. Adding extra layers will insulate your body and make it easier to regulate your body's temperature — resulting in lower heating bills.
Why not grab a cosy blanket when working from home to keep the chill away.
4. Make the most of soft furnishings
'Soft furnishings, such as curtains and rugs, can make all the difference in saving money on your heating,' says a heating expert from PlumbNation. 'If you have a carpeted home then it will naturally help to boost insulation; however, if you have hard flooring, investing in some good quality materials, such as a plush rug, will help to prevent heat from being lost.'
5. Clean your radiators
Central heating radiators seem to attract dust like a magnet, so it's important to give yours a regular clean. Layers of dust in your radiator can prevent heat from escaping effectively, meaning your radiator will have to work harder to warm your room.
To remove dust and dirt from your radiator, all you need to do is vacuum the inside (turn it off first), use a cloth to remove any hidden dirt, rinse with water and wipe down. Yours will be shiny in no time.
6. Turn your thermostat down by 1°C
Did you know that turning your heating down by just 1°C can help to save up to 10 per cent on your heating bill? Lowering the temperature slightly can reduce those rising energy bills. Why not try it this winter?
'You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result,' says Les. 'Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.'
7. Bleed your radiator
Radiators need bleeding when they have air trapped inside them, which can stop warm water from circulating properly. According to Ofcom, it's estimated that 20 per cent of your energy bill can be saved by having properly efficient radiators.
'If you notice radiators have cold spots then this means there's air trapped inside, which prevents warm water from properly circulating. This means the radiator will take much longer than it should to heat your room,' explains Adam.
Turn on your radiator to feel where the heat is coming from. If the radiator is warm at the bottom but cold at the top, this is generally a sign that air is present.
If you have radiator covers, make sure yours are conducting heat correctly. Radiator covers made from materials such as wood are poor conductors and can prevent heat from being dispersed effectively, wasting energy and money.
8. Get your boiler serviced
According to SSE, you should have your boiler serviced once a year to make sure it's working safely and effectively.
Defective boilers can increase your heating bill massively, meaning yours will have to work harder to heat the house. A boiler service is a simple check up from a Gas Safe Engineer, which will make sure your boiler is in good working order to survive the winter months.
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