How to keep your heating bills low this winter
As the weather gets colder, the temptation grows to turn on the heating at home! But this does cost money and it can be so tempting to keep it on all the time. Aside from the monetary savings in using less heating, it is also a great way of reducing your energy wastage. There's plenty you can do to still stay warm and still keep the heating bills low this winter—as well as do your bit for the environment.
Keep heat in
The more heat you trap in your house, the less you need to create. So install draft excluders on your doors and use a candle to find where other smaller drafts are for fixing—the smoke will be drawn towards them.
Smart use of curtains will help too. Throw them open during the day to catch the sun’s rays and close them when the sun goes down to keep the heat in.
Insulation is key. If you can, consider double-glazed windows. If they aren't an option, there are other things you can do such as getting your wall insulation checked by a professional and improved on if necessary. And don’t forget your water heater—proper insulation will help it run efficiently.
Use less heat
If you’re used to wearing t-shirts and shorts, now’s the time to embrace thick layers and cosy blankets. After all, body heat is free! And since you need to cook or bathe anyway, throw open the kitchen or bathroom doors to spread the warmth around the rest of the house.
Be smart with the thermostat
Now, you’re ready to turn the thermostat down—if you’ve followed our advice so far, you won’t need it nearly so high. Then, review how much heat each room really needs, and for how long. For instance, a cooler bedroom will actually help you get a better night’s sleep. A programmable thermostat or smart heating gadgets such as those compatible with Apple’s HomeKit, will help. After a while, they’ll pay for themselves.
Of course, you don’t want your efforts undermined by inefficient heating. So, get it checked regularly.
Finally, try shopping around for energy providers—chances are you could pay less than you are. If you can, it’s a no-brainer.