Since the start of the global pandemic, energy costs have skyrocketed worldwide. The average household is seeing their heating bills increase by around 30%. Add this to the rising price of fuel and groceries and it’s clear that the cost of living will become too much for people within a certain financial bracket to handle.
Experts say that the rising costs of utilities should start to return to normal in 2023, but this is a long time for people to wait. Those without disposable income to burn will face a difficult choice between heating their homes or having enough money to put food on the table.
If you are struggling with the soaring costs of energy, there are some things you can do to reduce your heating bill. By changing your habits and behaviors, and adopting a few energy-saving techniques, you can stay warm in a much more cost-effective way.
Here are ten tips for saving money on heating your home.
Exclude draughts
One of the biggest contributors to a chilly household is draughts. If there are gaps around your windows and doors where cold air can get in and warm air can escape, this will drive up your heating bill significantly. You will constantly be trying to heat up your home in an incredibly inefficient manner. The best thing you can do is to exclude these draughts and keep the warmth in. The first step is to identify problem areas in your home. Do a thorough sweep and feel for cold areas around doors and windows, while looking and listening for any signs like fluttering curtains or whistling noises. Once you have found the draughts you can work on removing them. Most hardware stores sell draught-proofing strips you can place along seams and join or draught excluders for the bottoms of doors. You can even improvise with items like cling film or old towels if you want to save a bit of money. Any gaps in floorboards or skirting can be plugged with a silicone-based filler. However, if there are some areas that are too damaged than others, then you may want to check out companies like Escondido Window, and others like it, to see how they can help you with changing those windows that need more TLC.
Wrap up warm
When you start feeling cold, your first impulse should not be to stick the heating on high. There are much easier, and more affordable ways, of keeping the chills at bay. Wearing multiple layers of clothing, at least one of which should be a thick, wooly jumper, will help trap warm air close to your body. We lose a lot of heat through our heads so a warm hat is an excellent investment. If relaxing at home, keeping comfy with plenty of blankets and pillows will make a significant difference. A hot water bottle isn’t a bad idea either!
Move around
One of the worst things you can do when you’re feeling cold is to stand or sit still. Moving around will keep your blood flowing and instantly warm you up. Engaging in some moderate-intensity exercise every day is a great idea, not only to retain some heat, but also to improve your general fitness and mental health. There are plenty of free online workouts available online, or you could strap on your trainers and go for a run or bike ride. Your house will feel much warmer after a sweaty session in the cold air.
Drop a degree
Whenever you turn on your heating, you probably have a preferred temperature that you set it to. But research shows that turning down your thermostat by just one degree can reduce your annual heating bill by between one and three percent. The difference is temperature will be barely noticeable but you will make a significant financial saving.
Use a timer
You only need your heating on at certain times. There is no use having it on when you are wrapped up warm in bed or working in the office. Rather than turning it on and off manually, and running the risk of leaving it on by mistake, it is much more practical to set your thermostat on a timer. You can have the heating come on for an hour or so in the morning just before you wake up and again in the evening when you and your family are relaxing at home.
Take shorter showers
The more hot water you use in your home, the more energy is required to heat it. This means that the longer you spend showering, the money you spend. Although it’s lovely to stand under the steaming water for long periods when it’s cold outside, you should try to limit your bathing sessions to only a few minutes. In the long run, this habit will add up to considerable savings. If you struggle to be conservative about your hot water usage, consider setting a timer on your phone whenever you jump in the shower. Once the alarm goes off, you know time is up.
Cook up a storm
The kitchen is probably the part of the home that generates the most heat. Whenever you’re cooking dinner for yourself and your family, make the most of this energy. Leaving the oven open after use will allow all that lovely warm air to filter through your home and heat everyone up. The food you prepare is also important. In winter, hearty, wholesome foods like soups and stews are very effective at raising your core temperature. Drink plenty of hot drinks through out the day, but make sure you only boil the water that you need.
Insulate your home
Without a doubt, the most effective way to prevent warm air leaving your home is to ensure that it is well insulated. If you have a loft or attic, you could save hundreds of dollars a year by installing good quality insulation. Check the windows of your home to see if there are any air leaks. If they are quite old, chances are, you’ll need to get a home window replacement done. Get high-quality windows that can keep the cold out and the heat in. If your home relies on an old school system boiler, you can save money by insulating your hot water tank too. A hot water cylinder jacket is relatively cheap and easy to install, meaning you don’t even need an engineer to do it for you. It will prevent heat leaking out and prevent you from having to waste energy reheating the water when you need it.
Upgrade your windows
Up to 25% of heat in your home can be lost through windows. Upgrading to double glazing Bristol windows can help you retain a considerable amount of warm air, while the fitter who installs them can also ensure that any draughts are sealed during the process. Certain types of glass are much more effective than others, while tinted glass can also help regulate temperature. If you want to upgrade your windows, consider hiring a company like Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement to help you out.
Change your heating system
If you find you are spending an inordinate amount on your monthly energy bills,, the problem may be that you are using an old and inefficient heating system. Modern boilers are much more effective at conserving energy while heating your home, and are much better for the environment as well. The cost of a new boiler depends on what boiler you choose, that is why it is best to research beforehand. A smart thermostat is also a great way to take the hassle out of warming your home and will make sure you only use the energy that you need. Smart heating can track your movements and turn on and off according to whenever you are home. It can also detect draughts and set to holiday mode to keep your pipes from freezing over whenever you are away for an extended period of time.
In conclusion, there are a great many things you can do to keep warm while reducing your heating costs at the same time. Although none of these will be quite as immediately effective and cranking up the temperature, they will help to instill good habits and ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible.