As winter sets in, keeping our homes warm without breaking the bank is a top priority. If you’re like me, juggling family life and household budgets, you’ll know how quickly heating costs can add up. Here are some practical tips to help lower your heating bills while keeping your home cosy this winter.
1. Layer Up the Cosy Factor
Sometimes, the simplest solutions make the biggest difference. Instead of cranking up the thermostat, focus on keeping everyone warm with layers—this is not only cost-effective but also helps the whole family get snug together. Start with thermal base layers, cosy jumpers, and warm socks. For lounging around, slippers or fluffy fleece-lined socks are a game-changer.
Add extra warmth to your living spaces with soft, fluffy throws or heated blankets—perfect for snuggling on the sofa during movie nights. If you’re feeling creative, get the kids involved and create a ‘cosy corner’ with blankets, cushions, and soft lighting. Not only does it keep the warmth in, but it’s also a fun little retreat when the temperature dips!
Don’t forget a hot drink, too—nothing warms you up quicker than a nice cup of tea, hot chocolate, or soup. Keeping the family comfortable with layers and small touches like this will help you resist the temptation to leave the heating on all day.
2. Seal the Draughts
Draughts are one of the biggest culprits for losing heat in a home, but the good news is they’re also easy to fix! Start by identifying where the cold air is sneaking in. Common culprits include windows, doors, letterboxes, keyholes, and even chimneys. A simple trick is to use a candle or incense stick—move it slowly around edges of doors and windows; if the flame flickers or smoke moves, you’ve found a draught!
To tackle these pesky leaks:
- Use self-adhesive draught-proofing strips around windows and doors.
- Fit draught excluders at the base of external doors or even internal ones if rooms are particularly cold. A rolled-up towel works in a pinch!
- Add letterbox brushes and keyhole covers to block tiny gaps.
- If you have a chimney, use a chimney balloon or draught excluder when it’s not in use.
These small fixes can help stop the warm air escaping and the cold air creeping in, making your home feel instantly cosier and more energy-efficient without needing to turn up the thermostat.
3. Use Your Heating Timer Wisely
It’s tempting to leave the heating on all day during winter, especially if you’re home a lot, but that can seriously add up on your energy bills. Instead, take control of your heating by using timers and thermostats efficiently.
The best way to save money is to only heat your home when you really need it. For example, set your heating to come on half an hour before you wake up in the morning and switch off when the family heads out for the day. Similarly, schedule it to turn back on just before everyone comes home in the evening. This approach ensures the house is warm when it matters most without wasting energy during quieter periods.
If your thermostat allows, consider setting different temperatures for different times of the day. Most households find that 18-20°C is a comfortable range for living areas. Dropping the thermostat by just 1°C could save up to 10% on your heating bill without much difference in comfort.
4. Make the Most of Curtains and Blinds
Your windows play a huge role in keeping the warmth in—or letting it escape! During the day, make sure to pull back your curtains and blinds to let in as much natural sunlight as possible. Even during cold spells, the sun’s rays can help warm up your rooms for free.
As the evening sets in, close your curtains or blinds promptly to trap the warmth indoors. Heat can escape surprisingly quickly through glass, so think of your curtains as a shield against the cold. For maximum impact, consider switching to thermal-lined curtains or blackout blinds. They might cost a little upfront but can make a real difference in retaining heat and lowering energy bills over time.
5. Maintain Your Oil Tank
If your home relies on oil tanks for heating,
proper care and maintenance can make a big difference in keeping your bills under control and your home warm all winter. Oil heating can be cost-effective, but it does require a little attention to ensure it’s running efficiently.
- Regular Inspections: Check your oil tanks regularly for any signs of leaks, damage, or rust. Even a small leak can waste fuel and increase costs significantly. If you spot an issue, contact a professional to inspect or repair it promptly.
- Top Up Early: Heating oil prices can fluctuate, often rising when demand is highest in the colder months. By topping up your oil tanks early in the season, you can secure a better price and avoid any unexpected shortages during winter.
- Insulation: Insulate your oil tanks to keep them protected from freezing temperatures. A frozen tank or fuel line can cause delays in heating your home and lead to costly repairs.
- Monitor Usage: Keep an eye on your fuel levels with a gauge or a smart monitoring system so you’re not caught off guard. This also helps you budget more effectively for the winter season.
Taking care of your oil tanks not only ensures your heating system works efficiently but also helps you avoid unnecessary expenses and mid-winter headaches. If you’re new to oil heating, it’s worth speaking to your supplier about regular maintenance or delivery options to help you plan ahead.
6. Use Zone Heating
If you live in a larger home, heating every room can be expensive and often unnecessary. Instead, focus on heating the spaces you and your family use the most—this is known as ‘zone heating.’
Start by closing doors to rooms you don’t use regularly, like guest bedrooms, utility rooms, or hallways. By containing the heat in your main living spaces, your heating system won’t need to work as hard to maintain a cosy temperature.
Consider using portable heaters for spaces that only need occasional warmth, like home offices or playrooms. Electric or oil-filled radiators are efficient for small areas and can be turned on only when needed, saving energy compared to heating the entire house.
To get the most out of zone heating:
- Use draught excluders to prevent heat escaping under doors.
- Insulate rooms you’re not using by keeping curtains closed and vents sealed.
- If you have radiators, turn off or reduce them in unused rooms while keeping them at a comfortable level in key areas like the living room and bedrooms.
This targeted approach not only saves energy but also ensures that the rooms you spend the most time in stay toasty and inviting!
7. Boost Radiator Efficiency
Radiators are the workhorses of most heating systems, but they don’t always run as efficiently as they should. A few simple tweaks can ensure they’re doing their job properly and keeping your home toasty without wasting energy.
- Bleed Your Radiators: Over time, air can get trapped in your radiators, preventing them from heating up fully. If you notice cold spots (especially at the top), it’s time to bleed them. All you need is a radiator key and a towel to catch any drips—releasing the trapped air will help the radiator heat more evenly.
- Use Reflectors: Radiators, especially those on external walls, can lose heat to the outside. Adding radiator reflectors or foil panels behind them helps bounce the heat back into the room, making the most of the energy you’re paying for.
- Don’t Block the Heat: Ensure furniture, curtains, or laundry aren’t blocking your radiators. While it’s tempting to dry clothes on them, this can prevent heat from circulating properly around the room. Instead, use an airer or heated drying rack.
- Adjust Thermostatic Valves: If your radiators have thermostatic valves, use them to control the temperature in each room. Lower the settings in spaces you don’t use often and keep living areas comfortable.
For extra warmth, you could also try placing a shelf above your radiator (but not touching it) to help direct the heat out into the room rather than letting it rise to the ceiling. These small tricks can significantly boost your radiator’s efficiency and help you save on heating bills.
Bonus Tip: Get the Family Involved
Make it fun for the kids by turning lowering energy use into a game. Challenge them to switch off lights or close doors quickly to “trap the warmth.” Little savings add up!
With these practical steps, you can enjoy a toasty home while keeping heating bills under control. Do you have any tried-and-tested tricks to keep warm on a budget? Share them in the comments below—I’d love to hear your tips!