The cost of heating our homes is rising. We're paying more for energy, as well as increasing standing charges. There isn't a lot we can do about it when there are fewer active energy companies and no other tariffs to swap to. Your central heating might be off at the moment as we enter the warmer summer months, but winter will be on the way before you know it. Now is the time to make some changes so we are all in a better position before the cold snap hits. Let's have a look at how to save money on heating our home.
Improve insulation
Improving the insulation in your house can help you save money on heating bills. Insulation in your attic and walls can help keep heat in your home and help your thermostat reach the temperature you want, so your boiler can switch off sooner. Keeping the cold out and the warm in is the perfect situation when you are wanting to save money on heating bills. Improved insulation will help.
Install thermal curtains
You lose a lot of warmth via your windows, but we need windows for light. A great idea to save money on heating is to install thermal curtains. This will ensure that the warmth is kept in your lounge, bedroom and dining room, whilst keeping the cold out. Thermal curtains are also pretty good at keeping light out too, so if you struggle to get to sleep, they can probably help. Depending on the size of your windows you can get thermal curtains for as little as £30 a pair. You might decide to pay for thicker curtains but they are worth it when you look at the cost of heating your home and that warmth escaping out the windows.
Wear more clothing
A simple solution when you want to save money on heating is to wear more clothes. If you are keeping the person warmer, you won't need to heat the room quite as much. Ensure you have thick socks, or at least double up on socks. Make sure you have a hoodie or a jumper on. An extra t-shirt or vest will keep you warm. Extra layers will keep you warm, especially at night time when the temperature drops.
Service your boiler
Boilers need servicing in order to be efficient. When was the last time you had yours serviced? Maybe it is time to call a plumber or ring the company you pay for a service plan with. If the boiler is serviced to be working at maximum efficiency, you can be sure that the money you are paying for the heating you are using will be the lowest it can be. If your boiler is old, it could be time for a new one.
Only heat where you are
You can save money on heating by only heating where you are. If you have a spare bedroom that no one ever uses, turn the radiators down. There is little point in paying to heat rooms where no one is going to feel the benefits of that heating. That is just wasting money. You could use that money to heat the space you are spending your time. Sit in the lounge together as a family and your body heat will also help keep the temperature up.
Turn the heating down a degree
So often we have our thermostats at a temperature we don't need them to be at. By turning them down by just one degree, you won't notice too much of a difference in the heat, but you will in the heating bills. This can help you slash money from your heating bills. Adjusting your thermostat can certainly help you save money on heating.
10 Summer Jobs To Help Pay The Bills This Year
Use a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat helps you save money on heating. You can access your heating from your mobile, wherever you are. This means that if you are going to be late home from work, you can delay the heating coming on for a few hours. There are also smart thermostats that learn and change the temperature accordingly. It gets to know your routine and adjusts to your schedule. Whist these are an outlay in terms of cost, if you want to access your heating from anywhere in the world, it's a great investment.
Have shorter showers
Heating our homes also means heating the water we use to wash with. No one really likes a cold shower, regardless of the benefits of having one. If you usually have a ten-minute shower in the morning, why not slash that time in half and save 50% of what you're paying for heating that water? You could also lower the temperature that you wash at, so your boiler doesn't have to heat the water as high. Shortening the length of shower time can save money on heating and also give you more time to do other things – maybe walking to work instead of taking the car, saving money on fuel!
Visit friends or find hobbies
If you arrange to visit a friend at their house, you can turn off the heating at your own property as no one will be in. Another great way to do this is to take up hobbies or find places you can go. If you work from home, why not try and work from the local library instead so you can use their heating and electricity. Whilst we love our own homes, getting out and about will save money on heating.
Join the gym
You can join a gym for as little as £9.99 a month. If you go to the gym every couple of days, you can enjoy being in a warm place and using their showering facilities. This will likely save you a lot more than £9.99 a month. Plus you'll be improving your health too!
There are numerous ways to save money on heating. Implement these things today and you can rest assured that you have done what you can when winter comes and you turn the heating back on. Stay safe, stay warm and save money.