As the mercury plummets across Britain, households are firing up their central heating systems to combat the chill. However, many are unknowingly making simple errors that are inflating their energy costs.
Common Heating Errors Costing You Money
Ryan Willdig from Heatforce warns that numerous UK residents are unaware of straightforward methods to reduce their monthly heating expenses. By avoiding these five common pitfalls, you could save several hundred pounds annually.
Cranking the Thermostat Too High
His primary warning concerns the instinct to dramatically turn up the thermostat when temperatures drop. "While it won't heat your home any faster, what it will do is waste energy and therefore waste money," Ryan explained. He highlighted that each degree above 19-20 degrees Celsius can add 10% to your annual heating costs.
Leaving Heating On Constantly
Despite its appeal, leaving your heating running all day is highly inefficient. Ryan advised that it's far more cost-effective to only use heating when required, rather than maintaining a constant temperature in an empty home.
Blocking Radiators and Ignoring Insulation
Further essential recommendations include ensuring your furnishings aren't sabotaging your heating efforts. "Placing sofas, curtains, or even radiator covers in front of your radiators traps the heat behind them," Ryan cautioned. This forces your system to work harder, increasing bills and straining your boiler.
His final advice concerns home insulation. "Poorly insulated homes, particularly lofts, walls and windows, allow heat to escape quickly," he noted. Simple, cheap solutions like draught excluders and radiator reflectors can make a noticeable difference to both your comfort and your monthly bills.
Staying on top of your annual boiler service is also crucial for maintaining an efficient heating system. Combined with these other measures, it forms a comprehensive strategy to keep your home warm and your energy costs under control this winter.
