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Reduce Heating Costs This Winter

Practical tips to lower your heating bill without sacrificing comfort during cold months.

6 min readSave £150–£300/yrUpdated March 2024

Heating: Your Biggest Energy Cost

Heating accounts for around 55% of the average UK energy bill. Small improvements here can lead to significant savings — often £150–£300 per year.

Optimise Your Thermostat

Set your thermostat to 18–20°C. Every degree above this adds roughly 10% to your heating bill. Wear an extra layer instead of turning up the heat.

Time Your Heating Right

Set heating to come on 30 minutes before you need it and off 30 minutes before you leave or go to bed. Your home retains heat for a while after the heating stops.

Use Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)

TRVs let you control temperature room by room. Turn down or off radiators in unused rooms and focus heat where you actually spend time.

Bleed Your Radiators

Trapped air stops radiators heating fully. Bleed them at the start of winter — if air comes out when you open the valve, they needed it.

Don't Block Radiators

Move furniture away from radiators and avoid drying clothes on them. Blocking airflow means your heating system works harder for less warmth.

Service Your Boiler

An annual boiler service keeps it running efficiently and catches problems early. An inefficient boiler can waste 10–15% of your fuel.

Consider Boiler Upgrades

If your boiler is 15+ years old, replacing it could save £200–£400 per year. Modern condensing boilers are 90%+ efficient vs 60–70% for older models.

Quick Wins Summary

  • Turn thermostat down 1°C: Save £80–£100
  • Reduce heating by 1 hour daily: Save £50–£75
  • Use TRVs effectively: Save £30–£50
  • Annual boiler service: Maintain efficiency

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