Although spring is just around the corner, the recent snowstorms indicate the weather isn’t likely to warm up for a while. Keeping your central heating on and increasing your hot water usage is still needed to stay snug, causing high energy bills. On top of this, your household energy usage may be higher than usual due to the continuing lockdown restrictions. You will want to make sure your appliances are energy efficient.
If your winter bills have skyrocketed this winter, you can lower your future costs by using these five energy-saving tactics.
1) Resolve radiator problems
If your radiators aren’t heating sufficiently, try to resist turning your thermostat up and keeping your central heating on for longer, as this will only raise your energy bill. Monitoring the radiators’ patterns will help you determine the cause.
Radiators that are cold at the bottom indicate that sludge has accumulated and may need a professional power flush to remove it.
When air gets trapped in the system, your radiators might be cold at the top, have cold spots, make gurgling noises, and take a while to heat up. Bleeding the radiators yourself or hiring a professional can solve this issue.
If your radiators aren’t turning on simultaneously, you may need to hire a professional to balance them, which restores an even water flow between radiators.
2) Stay up-to-date with boiler care
An inefficient boiler can cause your energy bills to soar. An annual service is the best way to check whether the appliance is running correctly, as the engineer will identify any problems and repairs that need making. Failing to address faults could result in a costly and potentially dangerous boiler breakdown.
When your boiler is nearing the end of its lifespan, which is typically between 10 and 15 years, it’s probably time to replace it. If you need guidance on which boiler is the most suitable and efficient option for your property, use the BOXT ‘find a boiler’ tool.
3) Eliminate draughts
It’s uncomfortable spending time in a draughty home during winter, and it often results in increased central heating usage. Instead of temporarily resolving the problem by turning your thermostat up, identify where the draught is originating.
Gaps around windows and doors are common causes of draughts, which you can quickly solve with draught excluders and lower your annual energy bills by £25. Fitting thicker curtains and double-glazed glass windows will also help to keep the cold air outside.
You may need to hire a professional to draught-proof your home if the problem is extensive, such as if an unused chimney needs to be closed-off or there is severe wall damage.
4) Integrate smart technology
Installing smart gadgets into your home is a great way to gain more control and awareness of your energy usage to lower costs.
Smart heating controls, such as a room thermostat, a programmer, and thermostatic radiator valves, can save you £75 each year. The digital displays on smart meters can show how much you’ve spent on energy per day, week, or month, and in pounds and pence, to give you a better understanding of what your bill covers. Smart thermostats highlight how to use your central heating more efficiently by sending energy reports of your usage.
Switching devices off standby can reduce your yearly energy bill by £35 and turning lights off after leaving a room can save another £15. Fitting smart plugs and bulbs makes this much easier as they can automatically turn off at set times or you can manage them remotely.
5) Change energy providers
Although switching suppliers may seem like a hassle, it’s a simple process that can dramatically reduce costs. According to MoneySuperMarket, the average saving amounts to £250.
Searching on a comparison site is the quickest way to find a better deal. Once you’ve selected and contacted a company, they will handle the transfer, without disrupting your energy.
Using your energy more efficiently by adjusting and caring for your property is an investment. It will keep your home comfortably warm and lower your utility bills for the foreseeable future.
