Heating your home efficiently doesn’t just save on energy bills – it also helps protect the environment. With rising energy costs and concerns about climate change, making your home more efficient is a win-win. It can also help with its valuation when it’s time to sell up. In this article, we will explore various tips to help you pay less for your heating – some are physical, while others are good habits. It can all add up to significant savings.
1. Insulation and draught-proofing
One of the best ways to keep your home warm without wasting energy is to ensure it’s well-insulated and draught-proofed. Good insulation can make a significant difference.
Start with the loft: insulating your loft can prevent a lot of heat loss. You can use materials like mineral wool or insulation boards to achieve this – they’re all available from DIY stores. Just be careful when you’re up in the loft. What looks like a floor between joists might be a flimsy ceiling panel that won’t hold your weight
Wall insulation is also helpful in some cases; if you have cavity walls, having them filled can reduce heat loss significantly. Don’t forget the floors – adding insulation under floorboards can stop cold draughts from coming up.
Draught-proofing is another simple yet effective method. Check around doors, windows, chimneys and even your letterbox for gaps where cold air might sneak in. Use draught excluders, curtains and sealants to block these gaps. By doing this, you can keep the warm air inside where it belongs, making your home cosier and reducing your heating bill.
A more expensive solution is installing double- or triple glazing to upgrade your current windows. Most homes already have at least double glazing, but sometimes the odd window is overlooked, like windows above doors, in porches or under the stairs – get it done as it can let a lot of heat escape in winter.
2. Efficient heating systems
The type of heating system you have plays a big role in how efficiently you can heat your home. Modern, efficient boilers can save you a lot of money over time. There are three main types of boilers used in the UK: combi boilers, system boilers and conventional boilers.
Combi boilers are popular because they provide hot water on demand without needing a storage tank. System boilers, on the other hand, require a tank but are good for homes with higher hot water needs. Conventional boilers also need a tank and are suitable for larger households.
Whichever type you choose, regular maintenance is key. An annual service by a registered Gas Safe engineer ensures your boiler runs efficiently and safely. This not only keeps your heating system in top shape – it also extends its lifespan and keeps the warranty valid.
3. Smart thermostats and heating controls
Smart thermostats are a fantastic way to improve heating efficiency. They allow you to control your heating remotely using your phone, making it easier to manage your home’s temperature.
Look for thermostats that offer features like learning your schedule, temperature zoning and integration with other smart devices. Popular brands like Nest and Hive offer these functions, but others are available. By optimising your heating schedule, smart thermostats ensure you’re only using energy when needed, and never heating an empty house.
You can also set up different temperatures for various rooms, avoiding unnecessary heating of unoccupied spaces. This not only keeps your home comfortable but also helps reduce your energy consumption.
4. Radiator efficiency
Your radiators’ efficiency influences how effectively your home is heated. Simple steps like bleeding your radiators can make a big difference. Over time, air can get trapped inside radiators, reducing their efficiency. Bleeding removes this air, allowing hot water to circulate better.
Using reflective panels behind radiators can also help. These panels bounce heat back into the room rather than letting it escape through the walls.
Ensure furniture isn’t blocking your radiators as it can slow interrupt heat distribution in the room. Balance your radiators by adjusting the valves so that heat is evenly distributed throughout your home. This means each radiator gets the right amount of hot water, ensuring a consistently warm house.
5. Alternative heating solutions
If you’re considering more sustainable options, alternative heating solutions like heat pumps and biomass boilers might be worth looking into. Heat pumps extract heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors. They are highly efficient and suitable for many UK homes.
Biomass boilers use organic materials such as wood pellets to generate heat. These systems are environmentally friendly as they use renewable resources. However, they do require regular maintenance and a steady supply of fuel.
Both options have their pros and cons, so it’s essential to do your research to determine which is best suited for your home and budget.
6. Renewable energy integration
Integrating renewable energy sources with your heating system can further improve efficiency and reduce costs. Solar thermal panels, for example, use sunlight to heat water, providing an eco-friendly supplement to traditional boilers. You can use them to power underfloor heating, which essentially means free heat.
In the UK, sunshine might not be constant, but solar systems can still make a significant contribution to your hot water needs. They reduce dependence on gas or electric heating, leading to savings on energy bills. Combined with batteries, these systems can give you 24/7 efficiency, and don’t worry – you’ll still be connected to the electricity grid.
7. Energy-efficient behaviours
Small behavioural changes can add up to a big difference in energy consumption. Lowering your thermostat by just one degree can reduce your heating bill significantly without affecting comfort. Using timers and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) allows you to heat only the rooms you use when you need them. Drawing curtains at dusk keeps heat in too. Simple habits like keeping doors closed and not blocking ventilation ensure your home heats efficiently, maximising warmth where needed.
8. Government grants and schemes
In the UK, there are grants and schemes that aim to help homeowners improve energy efficiency. Check if you qualify for any schemes by visiting local and national government websites or speaking with energy experts. These grants cover a significant portion of the costs, making it easier to implement energy-saving measures without straining your budget.
A warm home awaits
By following these tips, you can heat your home efficiently, save on energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. The initial setup costs can often seem large, but they almost always pay for themselves over the medium term. Grants and interest-free credit schemes can also help soften the blow.
If you’re in or around Milton Keynes, talk to us about replacing and servicing your boiler or central heating system. We’re here to give honest, helpful advice on any heating-related issues.