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Energy Saving Guides

How to Reduce Heating Bills

Energy bills are rising across the UK and with no cheaper alternative deals, households are having to tighten their belts. With this guide page, we aim to alleviate some of the financial pressure that will come this winter.

reduce heating bills

Intro

There are several simple ways to save energy at home, like switching off stand-by appliances, avoiding your tumble dryer and spending less time in the shower. You could even learn to knit a cosy jumper. This guide will focus specifically on how you can save money on heating by exploring some more long-term hacks.

Recently, the UK government has introduced a £2500 cap on energy bills for two years. This cap is effective from October when households will also be offered a £400 grant to relieve some more pressure. Whilst these announcements are welcome, millions of homes will still struggle over the winter months.

One of the best ways to control your bills is to utilise a thermostat. According to Ovo Energy, the idea that it's cheaper to keep your heating on a constant low is a myth. Instead, you should only have it on when needed. You might also consider investing in a Smart Thermostat, which allows you to override your heating pattern from your phone, just in case you decide to go out last minute. The hotter you have your home, the more you'll be spending so ensure your thermostat is always a suitable temperature.

What Temperature to Set Thermostat in Winter?

thermostat

Below are some tips for finding the right thermostat temperature. It should help you save on bills without having to compromise your and your family's comfort and health.

  • Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home between 18°C and 21°C. This is widely agreed to be the best sleeping temperature and should not drop below 16° for older adults and those with mobility issues.
  • Setting a higher temperature will not heat your home quicker. A thermostat has no control over the speed at which your house heats up; it can only dictate the final temperature.
  • Install your thermostat in a frequently used room, as the thermostat will turn the boiler off once that room has reached its target.
  • Turning the heating off on holiday could lead to pipe freezing.

How does a Thermostatic Radiator Valve Work?

Valve Reading Room Temperature Use
0 Closed/Off
* Frost Protection Setting 4-7°C Protects the system from freezing when the house is left unoccupied during the winter.
1 8-12°C Suitable for unoccupied areas like cellars and stairways.
2 13-17°C Suitable for low traffic areas like utility rooms.
3 18-21°C The recommended setting for healthy people during winter.
4 21-23°C Great for cosy communal areas like the living room.
5 23-29°C Maximum temperature

What is a Combi Boiler?

A combi boiler, or combination boiler, heats water on demand, while a system boiler has a separate hot water cylinder to store water until it's needed. But which should you be investing in to save on your heating bills? It entirely depends on your household. For example, a combi boiler is preferable for smaller households that will only be running one outlet at a time. If you're hoping to provide hot water to a larger family then you should consider a system boiler. Particularly, if you plan to install solar panels in the future as hot water cylinders can store the energy.

How Much is a Combi Boiler?

A new combi boiler can cost between £600 and £2000 depending on whether it's a budget or premium model. You should also factor in how much installation will cost which can take the price up considerably, particularly if it's going to be a complicated installation process or you live in a more expensive area. However, if you're simply swapping two combi boilers this is usually straightforward and the cheapest option. Installing an A+ boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves will help you save money and energy in the long run.

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

Heat naturally flows to colder areas, which isn't ideal when we're trying to retain it in our homes. Heat pumps reverse this direction and allow us to harness heat from outside. Energy Saving Trust has a brilliantly in-depth guide to heat pumps which features everything you could possibly want to know. However, if you're in a rush, here are a few key things you need to know about heat pumps.

There are two types of heat pumps: air source (ASHP) and ground source (GSHP). Their main difference is simple; ASHP absorbs heat energy from the air and GSHP absorbs it from the ground. They are both extremely efficient ways to heat your home.

Air Source Heat Pump Ground Source Heat Pump
Efficiency The efficiency of ASHP depends on the temperature of the air outside. ASHP can be more efficient than GSHP because the air can reach higher temperatures than the ground, however, it can be less efficient, because it can also get colder. When it gets really cold GSHP will be more efficient than ASHP. They tend to be more efficient throughout the year due to less temperature fluctuations.
Installation ASHP is quicker and easier to install than GSHP as they can be mounted to the side of a house. However, it will be visible from the outside of your property which could be considered an eye sore. Ground Source Heat Pumps can be installed if there is enough space for a ground loop. A ground loop can be horizontal or vertical, with vertical being the costlier option. According to Energy Saving Trust, you need about 2.5-3 times more land than the floor area of your house..
Cost Approximately £7,000 – £13,000 Approximately £14,000-£19,000

How to Save Water

There are a few appliances that you should be extra mindful of, particularly those that consume water.

Dishwashers

  • Average Annual Running Cost: £79.38
  • Cost Cutting Tip: Wait until you have a full load before you turn on your dishwasher, the less you use this appliance the better. You should also ensure it is well-maintained so that it works as efficiently as possible, take a look at our dishwasher guide page to find out how to clean a dishwasher

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Washing Machines

  • Average Annual Running Cost: £25-£35 (7kg washing machine used 220 times a year).
  • Cost Cutting Tip: Use the eco setting on your washing machine to save money. In addition, avoid half-filling as it will use the same amount of water used on a full load. Older washing machines will have a 'half load' or 'small load' setting so you can specify that less water should be used, newer washing machines will be able to adjust the amount of water depending on the load size.

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Taps

  • Average Annual Running Cost: £25-£300.
  • Cost Cutting Tip: Running your taps unnecessarily whilst washing up can add an extra £25 to your annual bill, try using a washing-up bowl as this will automatically reduce the amount of water it takes to fill up the sink. Furthermore, ignoring leaky taps can be a huge issue, which can end up costing a whopping £300 a year if not fixed.

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