For most household’s energy is expensive but a necessity to see you through the winter months, the average household spends about £95 a month on heating, but there are things you can do to save energy and money and keep the bills down. Read on to find out a plumber’s tips that can keep you warm through winter without bumping up your heating bills.
Here’s our Advice
- Get to know your control system
If you understand your heating systems and its controls, you can use it to its optimum benefit, you may want to speak to a plumbing company to get the maximum benefit from your control system. For example, your home will take about half an hour to cool down (longer in a well-insulated property). Therefore, you might want to consider turning the heating down, or off completely, about half an hour before bed.
- Turn the thermostat down
Turning the temperature down by 1°C could save you as much as £75 a year, and you are unlikely to notice the small change in temperature.
- Avoid drying clothes on top of radiators
As its less likely you will be able to dry clothes outside during the winter months, the tendency can be to put them on top of the radiator. However, this can lower the quantity of heat released by the radiators, so the boiler has to run for longer to achieve the temperature you have set on the thermostat. Therefore, more fuel is needed, and your heating bill will increase.
- Move furniture away from radiators
The foam in upholstered furniture is very effective at keeping heat in, so it will absorb all the heat your radiators are producing and trap it inside the furniture. If you move sofa’s and armchairs away from the radiator the heat will then be able to flow into the room.
- Insulate against drafts
A surprising amount of heat can escape, and likewise cold can enter, through letterboxes, keyholes and other areas that let draft through. Fitting covers over them is a simple task that can make a surprising amount of difference.
- Fit a ‘chop’ device for your central heating
A ‘chop’ device automatically turns off your central heating for a pre-set period during every hour its working, thereby using less energy. Although it reduces the time the heating is on, there is no noticeable difference in the comfort level, so you save money without sacrificing on heat. You may want to contact a plumber or boiler installation company to fit one of these.
- Consider a new boiler
Although it can be a large expense, it can save you money on heating bills in the long run. Old boilers are often very energy inefficient so you may want to replace them and get a new boiler installation. Newer models use less fuel and are available for use with mains gas as well as oil and LPG. You should also have regular boiler service to make sure it is in full working order.
For More Information
If you have taken onboard the easy tasks like draught proofing and hanging clothes away from furniture, but you want more information about keeping costs down then get in touch with a plumber or boiler installation company. They can talk you through the technical side and help advise whether you property needs a new boiler, as well as recommend a brand and model.