Reducing your energy consumption not only helps you save money on your heating bill but also takes steps towards helping the environment. It’s getting increasingly important to find ways to save energy in your home that are both low cost and low effort.
Read on to discover how you can reduce your heating bills in the UK.
Low Budget Ways to Save Money on Heating Bills in the UK
Adjust Your Radiators
During the cold winter months, it’s understandable that you may want to crank your central heating system up to the max and keep your home nice and cosy. However, this could be one of the reasons for an extortionate bill at the end of the month.
The energy saving trust recommends reducing your thermostatic radiator valve by just 1 celsius. Doing so can help save up to £55 a year. If you have a combi boiler, consider slightly reducing the flow temperature to save around 9% in gas. Reducing the flow temperature will not only help you save even more money, but optimise your boiler to heat your home more efficiently.
Do you have rooms in your home that aren’t always in use? If so, ensure the heating controls are switched off in these rooms to prevent unnecessary energy from being used.
Save Energy by Turning off Your Lights
It can sometimes be difficult to keep track of which lights are on or off in your home. It’s good to get used to keeping rooms dark when not in use and turning lights off straight away after use.
If your budget allows you to, swap your lightbulbs for energy-saving lightbulbs. For a reasonably low price, energy-efficient lightbulbs can save you up to £65 a year, making it an easy way to save a little money in the long term.
Draught Proof Your Home
Draughts are one of the biggest culprits for causing you to use more heating energy than needed. Even just the slightest gap in a door or window can cause a brisk chill in your home. Check for obvious gaps underneath doors and windows that draughts can sneak in through.
Get crafty by stitching together some old material and creating a ‘draught snake.’ Fill it with rice or clean cat litter and place it underneath your door to keep out the cold. Closing blinds and curtains can also play a small part in keeping chilly breezes out of your home.
If you have a chimney in your home and a small budget available, it could be worth draft-proofing your chimney. Keeping warm air in and stopping it from escaping out of the chimney will help keep your home warm and reduce the need to turn on your central heating.
Don’t Overuse Household Appliances
When it comes to your monthly energy bills, it’s the small things that really add up. According to the Energy Saving Trust, something as easy as turning off all appliances at the socket can save around £65 a year. Take a look below at some other super simple ways to save when using household appliances.
Avoid using the tumble dryer
When the weather permits, try drying your clothes on a clothesline outside if you have the space. Doing so will reduce the number of times you use your tumble dryer. If it’s raining outside, use a clothes maiden to dry some of your smaller items such as t-shirts, underwear and socks.
Use the Washing Machine At a Low Temperature
Using the washing machine at a lower temperature of 30 degrees is a great way to keep your home energy use to a minimum. Lots of detergents allow for low-temperate washing, but check the packaging before purchasing just to make sure.
Boil Less Water in the Kettle
Only filling up your kettle with as much water as you need to use is a minimal-effort change that can make a real difference. With less water in the kettle, less energy is needed to complete the boil.
Keep the Fridge Freezer Closed When Not in Use
Similarly, closing the door on the fridge freezer when it’s not in use can further save you money in the long run. When the door is open, the inside of your freezer is slowly heating up, thus using more energy when it needs to return to freezing. By simply closing the door when not in use, you can reduce the energy needed to cool it back down.
Cut Back Your Shower Time
We all know how easy it is to get carried away having a nice long relaxing shower. However, your relaxation could be a cause for stress at the end of the month! Try using a timer or alarm when in the shower to ensure you’re aware of the length of time you have hot water running.
Save Money When Using Heating Oil
When using heating oil, there are a few easy steps you can take to reduce your monthly costs. Regular oil tank services ensure that they are in good working order and reduce the risk of blockages that could resultantly cost more to repair should you leave them longer. If your boiler runs out of fuel, air may get trapped and stop the boiler from working. Read our guide on how to bleed your boiler to ensure that it stays in proper working oil to provide your home with heating.
With the price of heating oil regularly fluctuating, stocking up on fuel when the price is low can be a great way to utilise your oil tank and save money. With the ability to be stored safely for up to two years, review our guide to see how long your heating oil should last you.
If you have the budget, installing a smart meter could be a great way to keep an eye on your energy consumption. Our smart oil monitors start from just £6 a month and offer built-in safety alerts, which can save you a large amount of money in the long run.
Read more about how you can keep an eye on your heating oil usage and save yourself money.
