Winter can be financially crippling for many families, with the kids going back to school, christmas, new years and the freezing temperatures. Sadly, due to the rising cost of energy and budget cuts winter looks set to become even tougher in upcoming years. Luckily there are some simple solutions you can take to save on your monthly heating bill. Don’t worry I am not going to suggest you spend £5000 on double glazed windows all these solutions are either free or at most cost £40.
- Closing the Curtains When the Sun Goes Down – this is a subtle action that can make a big difference.
- Layer up! You may like wondering around with just your underwear on, but maintaining those kinds of temperatures are expensive. Socks are absolutely essential in winter, you lose a large proportion of your body heat through your feet.
- Close Up All Gaps – you may be shocked by the number of spaces that air can get through in your house. If you have a fireplace, make sure to close the flute when it’s not in use. Window and door frames are often filled with gaps – light a candle and follow its movement to spot them. Gaps are easy to fill, you can use simple caulking for gaps in the windows and a sweep.
- Upgrade your radiator valves – Thermostatic radiator valves regulate the flow of hot water to the radiator, controlling the temperature of a room.
- Lowering the base temperature of your house by a few degrees is unlikely to be noticeable (assuming you haven’t already done it), you should consider taking similar action with your water heater.
- Regulate the times your house is heated, there is no point keeping the sofa warm while your at work or asleep.
- Closing your bathroom and kitchen fans when they are not needed will prevent unnecessary heat escaping.
- Make use of all the heat you create! Leave the bathroom door open after you shower and the kitchen door open while you cook so the released heat can help heat the house.
- Get maintenance done on your house! Your local electrician can improve the efficiency, of your heaters and you personally can ensure that your filters are clean, further reducing heating costs.
Hopefully this list will make your Christmas that little bit merrier and your new years that little bit happier. Keep in mind that while reducing the energy cost of your heating you also reduce you carbon footprint. So you can go forth knowing that you have done that little bit extra for the world as well as your wallet.
Written by Jacob Catt on behalf of Heated Towel Rails, suppliers of towel rails for the whole of the UK.
