As winter's chill descends across the UK, the instinct to crank up the thermostat is strong, but the subsequent energy bill often delivers a nasty shock. Fortunately, a series of simple and completely free adjustments to your home habits can help you stay cosy while protecting your wallet from sky-high costs.
Harnessing Heat Retention
The cornerstone of an energy-efficient home in cold weather is effectively retaining the heat you already pay for. One of the most powerful yet overlooked strategies involves your curtains. Open them during the daytime to allow sunlight to naturally warm your rooms, and make a habit of closing them as soon as dusk falls to create a vital insulating layer that traps heat inside.
Equally critical is tackling draughts. Experts recommend using weather stripping on doors and windows or installing dedicated draught stoppers. For a quick and effective DIY solution, you can create your own 'draught snake' by stuffing old socks with rice or beans and placing them at the bottom of draughty doors. Furthermore, ensure you seal small gaps around window frames and pipes using caulk.
Smart Home Layout and Radiator Efficiency
Your furniture arrangement plays a surprisingly significant role in heat circulation. Take a moment to rearrange sofas and large chairs so they do not block radiators. Similarly, moving bulky furniture away from external walls can prevent cold spots and help warmth distribute more evenly throughout your living space.
For those with a chimney, if the fireplace is not in use, consider blocking it off to prevent a significant amount of your expensive heat from escaping straight up and out of the house. Another key tip is to keep doors closed in rooms you are not using, which helps to concentrate heat in the areas where you spend the most time.
To maximise your heating system's output, bleed your radiators to release any trapped air that makes them less effective. For a longer-term upgrade, consider installing reflective panels behind radiators, especially those on external walls, to direct more heat back into the room.
Avoiding Costly Thermostat Mistakes
There is one common error that many homeowners make, and avoiding it can lead to substantial savings. It is a myth that turning your thermostat to a very high temperature will heat your home faster. This habit only wastes energy without speeding up the warming process.
Ryan Willdig, a heating specialist at Heatforce, explains the financial impact: "Each degree above 19–20°C can add around 10 per cent to annual heating costs." The most efficient method is to set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature, typically between 18-21°C (64-70°F), and allow it to maintain that level consistently.
Attention should also be paid to the dials on your radiators. The consumer champion Which? recently advised via TikTok that you should not set radiator dials higher than three, unless it is in the same room as your main thermostat. Setting a thermostatic radiator valve to five opens it fully, consuming maximum hot water and driving up bills unnecessarily. For bedrooms, a setting between two and three is recommended to maintain a comfortable 15-20°C.
