With the recent icy conditions having eased, Britons are being urged to prepare their homes for further potential cold spells forecast for the remainder of January and February. The Met Office has indicated the likelihood of more chilly weather, bringing associated winter hazards, making it a crucial time to ensure homes are ready to provide efficient and affordable warmth.
Mastering Your Heating Controls
Experts emphasise that keeping warm without breaking the bank is a top priority for households. Joanna O'Loan, knowledge manager at the Energy Saving Trust, states that the goal is to help people manage heating effectively to keep costs down while staying comfortable.
A key strategy is not leaving the heating on constantly. For homes with boilers, O'Loan advises using a programmer and thermostat to schedule heating to come on about 30 minutes before you wake and switch off 30 minutes before bed. "If you're out during the day, turn the heating off while nobody's home," she says, noting that the ideal schedule depends on your specific home and routine.
Getting the temperature right is also vital. For most, a thermostat setting between 18°C and 21°C is comfortable. Importantly, you should resist the urge to turn the thermostat up when it gets colder outside. "Your home will still reach the same temperature – it may just take a little longer," O'Loan explains, adding that turning it up won't heat the home any faster.
Sealing Heat Loss and Optimising Systems
Sam Jump, head of business development at underfloor heating specialist the Wunda Group, highlights that addressing heat loss is the single most effective way to improve heating efficiency. Homes can lose 10-20% of their heat through windows and doors.
An immediate, low-cost fix is to keep curtains closed, especially at night and in unused rooms. "Investing in heavy or thermal-lined curtains will yield the best results," Jump notes, suggesting even a heavy curtain over the front door can prevent significant heat escape.
He also points out often-overlooked draught sources like keyholes and letterboxes. A clever tip is to use a fridge magnet to block a keyhole. Sealing gaps and investing in draught excluders for external doors can make a noticeable difference.
Within the home, remember to turn radiators down (but not fully off) in unused rooms to help reduce damp and keep the system running efficiently. For those with a newer heating system, Jump suggests checking your boiler's flow temperature. "Our boilers are often set to maximum, but you can still achieve a comfortable temperature from your radiators without spending as much," he says, noting a slight reduction can cut bills considerably.
Long-Term Investments and Frost Protection
When considering bigger investments, boiler efficiency is paramount. The most efficient models have an A rating, converting over 90% of fuel into heat, while older D or E-rated boilers waste more energy. The average cost for a new gas boiler installation is around £3,700, depending on the model.
For a greener alternative, heat pumps can significantly reduce emissions, though they have higher upfront costs of £7,000 to £12,000, with grants available to help. O'Loan stresses that anyone installing a new system should use a good installer to set it up correctly for optimal performance.
Finally, a critical warning concerns protecting pipes during absences. While turning heating off to save money is tempting, if outside temperatures plummet, pipes can freeze and burst. "It might cost a little in energy, but far less than repairing burst pipes," O'Loan cautions. She advises using the frost protection setting on your controls or setting the thermostat to around 13°C if you go away, ensuring the heating kicks in only if needed to prevent a costly disaster.
