Get ready for winter
As we approach the winter months, the changing weather conditions can cause damage to your home.
With heating and hot water accounting for over half of the average household’s energy bills, it’s important to know what we can do to prepare our heating system for the colder months and save money on your energy bills.
Find out the simple steps we can take to prepare our heating system for winter.
Reduce your boiler flow temperature to save up to £60 a year
If you have a Combi boiler, its efficiency can be improved by adjusting the ‘flow temperature’ dial/setting to 60 degrees.
Reducing flow temperature isn’t the same as turning down the thermostat. It won’t noticeably reduce the temperature of your home but may take longer to heat up.
Bleed your radiators
Bleeding radiators makes your home warmer and can help reduce the cost of your energy bills. It does this by removing air pockets which reduce the pressure in your radiator so you don’t need to turn the heating up as much.
Get your boiler serviced
An annual service helps keep your boiler running safely. Faulty boilers can be very dangerous. During your boiler service, a Gas Safe registered engineer checks for leaks and issues and they will ensure that your boiler is running properly, which can save you money on future repairs.
Reduce your hot water tank temperature to 60°C to save up to £20 per year
If you have a heating system with a separate hot water cylinder (instead of a combi boiler), you can turn down the temperature of the cylinder itself so that water is not heated unnecessarily.
Install a smart meter to help you see what you’re spending
A smart meter provides you with near real-time information about how much energy you are using via an in-home display, which you can use to track your spending and have greater control over your usage. Smart meters provide automatic readings to your energy supplier, meaning an end to estimated bills and enabling easier budgeting. Contact your energy supplier, who can arrange to install a smart meter free of charge.
Find and fix draughts to save up to £50 a year
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective actions you can take to stop or prevent heat escaping and reduce your energy bills. Block unwanted gaps around windows, doors, chimneys and floors that let the cold air in and warm air out.
Insulate your hot water cylinder to save up to £50 a year
If you have a hot water tank, you can invest in a hot water cylinder jacket, available in most hardware shops and online. It reduces the amount of heat the cylinder loses and keeps water hot for longer, making them more efficient and cheaper to use.
For further information, please check the government website