Like many people in Edinburgh you may have been working from home this winter.
One way to keep your heating bills down is to wear six layers of clothes and a hat. Or even have an ever-present hot-water bottle.
5 ways to save money on your heating bills
Here are Gasworks top tips for 2023 to save money on your heating bills.
1. Bleed your radiators
Trapped air in your radiators will stop the warm water circulating properly – if your radiator is cold at the top and warm at the bottom, it probably needs bleeding. All you need is a radiator key (or screwdriver for more modern radiators) and a rag to catch any drips of water.
- Turn the heating off and wait until your radiators are cold
- Use your key or screwdriver to turn the valve at the top of the radiator until you hear a hissing noise – this is the trapped air escaping
- Once the hissing stops and water starts to trickle out, re tighten the valve
Job done! Next time you turn the heating on your radiator should be toasty warm from top to bottom
2. Stop Draughts
Windows: If your windows are the main issue, you can get draught-proofing strips for the window frame, though brush strips are better suited for sash windows. Closing thick curtains can also do wonders for stopping draughts in your home. For a quick, cheap and a bit of an unusual fix for draughty windows you can also put clingfilm over your windows to create a temporary layer of secondary glazing.
Doors: First, make sure internal doors are closed to keep the heat in. You can use draught-proofing strips for any gaps around the edges of the door frame, and draught excluders on the bottom of doors (you can even make your own if you fancy an easy craft project).
Fireplaces and chimneys: If you use your fire then skip this one, but if you don’t and you have an open chimney then there are ways to eliminate fireplace draughts. Why not try blocking up a chimney with an inflatable pillow or fitting a cap to your chimney pot?
Floorboards and skirting: If you have gaps in your floorboards or skirting, you can prevent hot air from escaping by filling them – use a silicone-based filler though, as floorboards need to move.
3. Use less hot water
Though you might only use your heating in winter, you use energy year-round to heat your water. So heating and using it wisely will impact your bills.
Plus, if you have a water meter, these tips will help you save money there too.
If you have a hot water tank (rather than a combi boiler), make sure you’re using your heating controls to turn your water heating on and off, so you only heat as much water as you need at certain times of day.
High-volume power showers can use more water in less than five minutes than running a bath. So fit an eco shower head. Your shower will still feel powerful but it’ll cut down on your hot water use.
4. Get a new boiler
How old is your boiler? If your boiler is over ten years old then it’s likely to be less efficient than its newer counterparts and could be costing you a lot of money in the long run.
Do you have a condensing boiler? Condensing boilers are highly efficient, but standard efficiency boilers are rarely over 80% efficient (that could be a significant difference when it comes to your energy bills).
When was your boiler last serviced? Getting an annual boiler service can help to make sure that your boiler maintains it’s maximum efficiency for longer.
New boiler installation only takes a couple of days and with Gasworks it does not cost the earth!
5. Upgrade your windows
here are plenty of benefits to double glazing, but one of its biggest draws is that you’re able to enjoy a warmer home at a lower cost.
As double glazed windows improve thermal efficiency and reduce heat loss, this helps lower your heating consumption. Other benefits include less condensation, better insulation against unwanted outside noise and higher security.6.
Easy DIY tips for reducing your gas bill
First things first – turn your thermostat down. (It almost sounds too simple, but hear us out…)
A recent study showed that 2.7 million households are turning their thermostats all the way to 25°C! If everyone in the UK lowered their thermostats it could add up to a combined saving of £1.4 billion (billion, with a B) on heating bills, not to mention a huge amount of carbon.
The ideal temperature is somewhere between 18°C and 21°C, but the general principle is that for every degree you turn your heating down, you could save around £80 a year.
