There are some seriously low-effort ways that you can save money on your heating bills this winter, all whilst making sure you stay nice and warm in the cold months
Staying warm is essential during the dreary winter months. Not only can expensive damage occur in your home if you fail to turn on your central heating system – and a burst pipe will cost you more in the long run – but it’s also incredibly damaging to your health to be living in cold temperatures.
Below 12 degrees Celsius, the temperature begins to affect our cardiovascular system, and there are many other potentially damaging side effects that come along with cold weather – so firing up the radiators is not optional.
However, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost when it comes to protecting your bank balance. With energy prices continuing to increase, many households across the UK are walking a delicate tightrope, trying to keep costs down, while still looking after themselves and their homes – which is where these simple, low-effort tips and tricks come in.
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First up, if you have a combi-boiler, there is a good chance that by simply turning the internal thermostat of it down, you could save yourself some money from your heating bills.
By bringing down the temperature of a combi-boiler, you can actually improve its efficiency.
The only downside is that it will take your central heating system longer to heat your rooms, so make sure you set your timer to start working early in the morning.
“Adjusting this setting can cut gas consumption by around eight percent for an average household, equating to 940kWh of gas savings,” the Sun reports, shaving around £65 off your bills.
The temperature of the combi-boiler controls how hot the water leaving the machine and circulating around your home through the pipes and radiators is – whatever you then set your overall thermostat to will still be the temperature that is reached.
Octopus Energy recommends turning this down to 50 degrees celsius, according to the publication. However, if your home does not have good insulation, this might not be a great option, as it is better suited to keep well-insulated properties warm.
Another option is to turn your home’s thermostat down by just one degree Celsius. This could save you £70.
The NHS advises, “Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
“Heat your home to a temperature that’s comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18 degrees Celsius in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. This is particularly important if you have a health condition. It’s best to keep your bedroom windows closed at night.”
“Heat the human not the home” is advice often given out by Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert – which involves finding other ways of staying warm, if you want to have the central heating on for the minimal possible time.
Ways of doing this can include wearing multiple light layers of clothing: they recommend at least three: a base layer, mid-layer, and outer-layer.
They also advise investing in a pair of slippers to keep your feet warm, “particularly if you have hard floors”.