We all want to keep our homes cosy and warm during the colder months, but with energy bills skyrocketing in the UK, it’s looking like it’ll cost a lot of us an arm and a leg.
This past April, the average home’s energy bill was set to increase by £693 per year, or approximately £58 extra a month – which has caused much panic and hysteria about how some of us will manage come autumn and winter.
Your central heating system is likely the biggest contributor to the cost of your household energy bills, but this means that there is potential for some big savings.
If you’re worried and frantically looking for ways you can cut back on your energy bill, you’re not alone – so here are some of the most effective ways you can reduce your energy costs this year.
Update your boiler and heating controls
Old boilers can cost significantly more to run than newer ones – but it’s not always the most affordable option, seeing as having a new boiler installed can cost anywhere up to £4,000.
If you’re not in a position to fork out this amount of money, a cheaper (but equally as effective) alternative would be to replace your old heating controls instead.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical three-bed semi-detached house could potentially save £75 a year by installing a thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves.
Heating control options to consider include:
- Timers – lets you turn your boiler on and off at set times
- Programmer – allows you to set different times and temperatures on chosen days during the week
- Thermocouples – with thermocouples, J-type thermocouples to be precise, you’ll be able to see if your boiler is still working efficiently and organise any repairs (if necessary)
- Room thermostat – measures how warm your room is and adjusts the boiler operation accordingly
Clean your radiator
Ensuring that your radiators are clean and free of muck will mean that your heating system is working at its most efficient.
It’s also a good way of prolonging the life of your boiler and reduces the need for pricey repairs or replacements down the line.
But how do you know yours need a clean?
One big tell is if you have cold spots at the bottom of your radiator, or if some of your radiators take longer to heat up than others.
Another way you can check is by simply bleeding a little bit of the system water into a container from your radiator valve.
There are many methods of cleaning available – including a gravity flush, power flush and chemical flush – that you can do yourself or instruct the help of a professional.
A gravity flush, for example, can be done easily at home, and it simply means replacing the old, dirty water in your system with new, clean water.
Insulate your roof
Insulating your roof can stop heat escaping from your home, but you’ll need to employ an expert to do it for you – as the process can sometimes be rather complicated.
While insulating your loft can cost several hundreds of pounds, it can also shave around £135 off your energy bills if you live in a typical, 3-bed semi-detached house.
Ready to save money this Autumn/Winter?
Everyone likes to save themselves a bit of money here and there, and whether you decide to insulate your roof or invest in a system that helps you to monitor the temperature of your home, you’ll be able to do just that.
If you’re looking into getting a J-type thermocouple, why not get in touch with the team at Cartridge Heaters?
They offer the highest quality, most cost-effective temperature sensors for your home, and would be more than happy to help if you have any further concerns or questions!
