The cooler weather is here and to go with it comes some steep energy price hikes. It's a tough time and many are looking for ways to make the most of their heating. Today we've got a few ideas that might help you keep your home warmer, while keeping the costs down as much as possible.
A lot of these seem obvious, which they are. It's good to get ideas all in one spot though. If you have any tips to keep bills down then please do share! You never know who you may help! Don't forget to mark any comments that you find useful as helpful. That little green tick helps highlight the best ideas and of course shows some appreciation, to our ever growing community members
Much love, stay warm!
I'm starting this with Joey
It's easy and most as kids were pretty fed up with hearing it. "Just pop a jumper on" As much as that annoyed me to hear as a child, it's something that does work. We have our limits though and we shouldn't be uncomfortable trying to keep warm. After all, our homes should be warm enough without resorting to Joey levels. I actually didn't want to add this in, because I think it's a natural most of us do anyway.
We know how to dress ourselves, but maybe have a dig around to see what might be hiding away. I've found a couple of old base layers that might come in handy, from when I used to run a fair bit.
Check your insulation
It's a good idea to ensure you have sufficient insulation and the quickest and easiest insulation method is going to be your loft. It's relatively cheap to do and you'll probably find that you're able to do it yourself. If you're not then do get someone to check for you, from a reputable local business.
How much insulation is enough?
Current guidelines suggest between 250mm and 270mm.
How do I lay loft insulation myself?
For those wanting to do it themselves, B&Q have a good article that should get you through it! Shop around to make sure you get a good deal and ensure you don't buy more than you're going to need - Insulation deals will go here
Go check your heating settings
Messing around with timers might seem a little daunting to some, especially if you've never had a tinker before or you're a bit of a technophobe. If you can get the manual for it and make some adjustments, you may be able to get it working much more effectively for your needs.
Turn the thermostat down
Everyone likes to be toasty and warm, however if you can try lowering the thermostat and find a nice spot that you're comfortable with, this can go a long way in saving energy. Just have a play around and see if you can find a sweet spot. This one is super obvious, although we can get used to just spinning that dial to a specific number and getting on with things, just out of habit.
You can also turn down or turn off radiators in rooms that you're not really using.
Bleed the radiators
This is a vital thing to do, to ensure that the warm water is circulating properly through your central heating system. It's really easy to and the only things you need is a radiator key and a decent paper towel or rag. You'll know if your radiator needs bleeding, because while your heating is on, a radiator will be warm at the bottom and cold at the top. This is because you have air in the system and you'll want to get that our using the key.
These air pockets will keep your room from heating up at a good rate, so it's 100% worth checking!
See the below video on how to bleed a radiator
Shut the doors
Everyone know to shut the external doors, right? Well, internal doors play their role too.
If you're heating your home and there are rooms that aren't really being used, then ensure the doors are shut. There's little reason to transfer heat into them if you don't need to. Maybe sling a draft excluder down if you think it's worth it in your case.
For me, I like to relax in an evening and play some games on the PC. Even though I have limited the power usage of my PC, it naturally kicks out some heat. Keeping that heat in by shutting the door to the room is really nice. The total opposite to what we experienced with the crazy heat waves earlier this year.
Even consoles will ditch that hot air, so we may as well seal it in to the room with a shut door!
Go handle the windows
Keeping the windows closed is easy, but are they shut tight?
Sometimes windows get pulled to with the handles turned, but other times not fully. The gap that this leaves might seem insignificant, but you can lose heat there for sure. Just eyeball them and make sure you check those rooms that aren't used so often as well.
Draughty Windows and doors?
So, you've done your checks and your windows are tight, but you're feeling cold air coming through. You could benefit from adhesive backed draught excluders. These are good for both doors and windows too, assuming that the issue isn't more serious than faulty seal. You can get someone in to do this for you, however it would be much cheaper to do it yourself.
If you've got a rather large gap on a door, you'll want to get that sorted. Over time doors can drop a little and will need to be re-adjusted at the hinges. New doors can do this after a few months, so don't assume that your door has had it just because it's an older one. It shouldn't be expensive, although if you can do it yourself, or know someone that can help. Get it done
There are also cheap solutions for your internal doors, that just need a little measuring and a few screws. They're not the most attractive things in the world, but may be very beneficial
Note: Some may need their windows slightly open to manage condensation issues, not necessarily caused by structural problems. Consider your options carefully as not all solutions are going to fit everyone's needs. It's also good to get fresh air in when you can!
Video on fitting adhesive backed draught excluders:
Cooking
If you're cooking you'll naturally be heating up some of the air along they way. Once you've done with the oven, turn it off and open up the door and make use of all that heat in there. You'll probably want to close any nearby doors to keep it in there for as long as possible. The bottom line is, if you can use excess heat, then do. I've seen some mention they do this with their kettle too!
Free heat from the conservatory
If you have a conservatory you'll know just how warm they can get in the Summer months, from the sun battering through the glass. You still get this at colder times of the year and it can actually be quite nice in there. You can of course just use the space, but better still you can filter that warm air into the home, simply by opening the door to the rest of the house.
As it gets later into the day, you'll totally want to make sure you remember to shut that, as the tides will probably turn and you'll end up losing heat. If you've not given it a go... try it out.
Space heaters
For anyone that tends to use a single room during the day, that doesn't want to heat the rest of the house, but focus on that one are, space heaters could be the way to go. Below is a little rundown of the main types and they're in general running cost order. The top being the cheapest and the bottom the most expensive.
Note - Wattages vary for all of these as there are so many models out thee, so keep that in mind. This is just an average / general guide
Halogen heater is perhaps the cheapest option. That said, they aren't really great for heating up a whole room. They'll offer a nice warm blast of heat in front of them though.
Oil Filled Radiators in general are more expensive to run than halogen, but running costs tend to be lower than convector models. You'll usually get good heating control from them and they hold on to heat for longer, which means they'll still give off some warmth once you turn it off.
Convector heaters are more expensive to run, but are much better than halogen models at heating rooms up. Good for small to medium size rooms. They take longer to get you warm, but do a better job for the whole room, instead of just for the person sat in front.
Fan heaters can warm a small room up pretty quickly, as the cool air is pulled in, then pushed over a heating element, then blasted out of the front. The downside is that the fan will quite obviously product noise.
Many of you may have already seen the cost of living section of hukd. If you haven't then give the above banner a click or head here.
This space is specifically aimed at helping you keep living costs down
A lot of these seem obvious, which they are. It's good to get ideas all in one spot though. If you have any tips to keep bills down then please do share! You never know who you may help! Don't forget to mark any comments that you find useful as helpful. That little green tick helps highlight the best ideas and of course shows some appreciation, to our ever growing community members
Much love, stay warm!
I'm starting this with Joey
It's easy and most as kids were pretty fed up with hearing it. "Just pop a jumper on" As much as that annoyed me to hear as a child, it's something that does work. We have our limits though and we shouldn't be uncomfortable trying to keep warm. After all, our homes should be warm enough without resorting to Joey levels. I actually didn't want to add this in, because I think it's a natural most of us do anyway.
We know how to dress ourselves, but maybe have a dig around to see what might be hiding away. I've found a couple of old base layers that might come in handy, from when I used to run a fair bit.
Check your insulation
It's a good idea to ensure you have sufficient insulation and the quickest and easiest insulation method is going to be your loft. It's relatively cheap to do and you'll probably find that you're able to do it yourself. If you're not then do get someone to check for you, from a reputable local business.
How much insulation is enough?
Current guidelines suggest between 250mm and 270mm.
How do I lay loft insulation myself?
For those wanting to do it themselves, B&Q have a good article that should get you through it! Shop around to make sure you get a good deal and ensure you don't buy more than you're going to need - Insulation deals will go here
Go check your heating settings
Messing around with timers might seem a little daunting to some, especially if you've never had a tinker before or you're a bit of a technophobe. If you can get the manual for it and make some adjustments, you may be able to get it working much more effectively for your needs.
Turn the thermostat down
Everyone likes to be toasty and warm, however if you can try lowering the thermostat and find a nice spot that you're comfortable with, this can go a long way in saving energy. Just have a play around and see if you can find a sweet spot. This one is super obvious, although we can get used to just spinning that dial to a specific number and getting on with things, just out of habit.
You can also turn down or turn off radiators in rooms that you're not really using.
Bleed the radiators
This is a vital thing to do, to ensure that the warm water is circulating properly through your central heating system. It's really easy to and the only things you need is a radiator key and a decent paper towel or rag. You'll know if your radiator needs bleeding, because while your heating is on, a radiator will be warm at the bottom and cold at the top. This is because you have air in the system and you'll want to get that our using the key.
These air pockets will keep your room from heating up at a good rate, so it's 100% worth checking!
See the below video on how to bleed a radiator
Shut the doors
Everyone know to shut the external doors, right? Well, internal doors play their role too.
If you're heating your home and there are rooms that aren't really being used, then ensure the doors are shut. There's little reason to transfer heat into them if you don't need to. Maybe sling a draft excluder down if you think it's worth it in your case.
For me, I like to relax in an evening and play some games on the PC. Even though I have limited the power usage of my PC, it naturally kicks out some heat. Keeping that heat in by shutting the door to the room is really nice. The total opposite to what we experienced with the crazy heat waves earlier this year.
Even consoles will ditch that hot air, so we may as well seal it in to the room with a shut door!
Go handle the windows
Keeping the windows closed is easy, but are they shut tight?
Sometimes windows get pulled to with the handles turned, but other times not fully. The gap that this leaves might seem insignificant, but you can lose heat there for sure. Just eyeball them and make sure you check those rooms that aren't used so often as well.
Draughty Windows and doors?
So, you've done your checks and your windows are tight, but you're feeling cold air coming through. You could benefit from adhesive backed draught excluders. These are good for both doors and windows too, assuming that the issue isn't more serious than faulty seal. You can get someone in to do this for you, however it would be much cheaper to do it yourself.
If you've got a rather large gap on a door, you'll want to get that sorted. Over time doors can drop a little and will need to be re-adjusted at the hinges. New doors can do this after a few months, so don't assume that your door has had it just because it's an older one. It shouldn't be expensive, although if you can do it yourself, or know someone that can help. Get it done
There are also cheap solutions for your internal doors, that just need a little measuring and a few screws. They're not the most attractive things in the world, but may be very beneficial
Note: Some may need their windows slightly open to manage condensation issues, not necessarily caused by structural problems. Consider your options carefully as not all solutions are going to fit everyone's needs. It's also good to get fresh air in when you can!
Video on fitting adhesive backed draught excluders:
Cooking
If you're cooking you'll naturally be heating up some of the air along they way. Once you've done with the oven, turn it off and open up the door and make use of all that heat in there. You'll probably want to close any nearby doors to keep it in there for as long as possible. The bottom line is, if you can use excess heat, then do. I've seen some mention they do this with their kettle too!
Free heat from the conservatory
If you have a conservatory you'll know just how warm they can get in the Summer months, from the sun battering through the glass. You still get this at colder times of the year and it can actually be quite nice in there. You can of course just use the space, but better still you can filter that warm air into the home, simply by opening the door to the rest of the house.
As it gets later into the day, you'll totally want to make sure you remember to shut that, as the tides will probably turn and you'll end up losing heat. If you've not given it a go... try it out.
Space heaters
For anyone that tends to use a single room during the day, that doesn't want to heat the rest of the house, but focus on that one are, space heaters could be the way to go. Below is a little rundown of the main types and they're in general running cost order. The top being the cheapest and the bottom the most expensive.
Note - Wattages vary for all of these as there are so many models out thee, so keep that in mind. This is just an average / general guide
Halogen heater is perhaps the cheapest option. That said, they aren't really great for heating up a whole room. They'll offer a nice warm blast of heat in front of them though.
Oil Filled Radiators in general are more expensive to run than halogen, but running costs tend to be lower than convector models. You'll usually get good heating control from them and they hold on to heat for longer, which means they'll still give off some warmth once you turn it off.
Convector heaters are more expensive to run, but are much better than halogen models at heating rooms up. Good for small to medium size rooms. They take longer to get you warm, but do a better job for the whole room, instead of just for the person sat in front.
Fan heaters can warm a small room up pretty quickly, as the cool air is pulled in, then pushed over a heating element, then blasted out of the front. The downside is that the fan will quite obviously product noise.
Many of you may have already seen the cost of living section of hukd. If you haven't then give the above banner a click or head here.
This space is specifically aimed at helping you keep living costs down
- What can you do around the home to save energy?
- More on energy and cost of living can be found on this link
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233 Comments
sorted byThey are warm in winter (but not sweaty) and cool in summer. Also wool has anti microbial properties so your feet won't stink! Ever seen a sheep shiver?
Most people only use an over for one or two items that an airfyer can handle. Ovens are more for Christmas Turkeys.
It may seem to be counter intuitive to have a fan running whilst trying to keep warm but fans only cool by evaporation of water (or sweat) on your skin in the Summer heat. They don't actually cool the air itself but give the impression they do. If you point a desk fan at the corner of your ceiling to displace the warm air and drive it down to the habitable level then it will save you money in the long run. Most thermostats are sighted at mid height in a room, so only are reading the temperature at that height. If you mix the warm air at the ceiling with the cooler air at feet level, then you will increase the overall mean temperature, which will mean your boiler will work less hard to maintain the overall desired temperature. (edited)
And turn off radiators or turn them down in rooms you don't need heated up.
If you're heating your home and there are rooms that aren't really being used, then ensure the doors are shut. There's little reason to transfer heat into them if you don't need to. Maybe sling a draft excluder down if you think it's worth it in your case.'
Draft excluders: I would recommend these pool noodles types as they move with the door so you dont trip over them, plus they can be easily removed during the summer.
amazon.co.uk/AUT…-43
Lidl did some cheap versions
offers.kd2.org/en/…bf/
forums.moneysavingexpert.com/dis…/p1
"Appreciate that not everything will be applicable to all but perhaps some may be useful to some.
1) Radiator reflectors - Has its share of skeptics lacking actual experience but we've found marked improvements in our comfort levels and increased residual heat levels after the desired temperature has been achieved and the boiler has cut off. All for <£30.
2) Boiler Condensing mode - This was a game changer!. Turning our system boiler radiator flow temperature control (located on the boiler - not the thermostat setting) to ~50degrees. This means the return flow temperature will be 30-32 degrees which is low enough to make modern condensing boilers achieve > 92% efficiency. We still achieve the desired room temperature but slower and steadier, without the boiler cutting in and out. In so, the boiler's life is also extended.
3) Gas Fireplace - Used on non-sunny evenings, our Nu-Flame gas fireplace warms the living area effectively, using ~2/3 less gas than the 18 kW main boiler would. A high efficiency fireplace is essential for this - our open flame unit is rated 77% efficient. Glass fronted fires can achieve in excess of 90% efficiency.
4) Blinds wide open on Sunny Days - Seems obvious but we remain in awe of how quickly the property heats itselfs via solar radiation. We often switch the boiler off entirely and bask in sunlight, rare as it may be.
5) Insulation sticky tape - Great for sealing older windows and doors to prevent cold air entry. £2 on Amazon made a massive difference in our leakier rooms and attic door.
6) Geofencing and Smart Thermostats - Another seemingly obvious one till we realized how often we forget to turn down heating when we head out. Another great source of savings for a relatively low cost.
7) Don't shut the cooking OVEN door/ Leave the kettle lid open - An oven or kettle left wide open allows for heat to transfer into the property. We leave our oven door open with the oven fan running for a few minutes - effectively transforming it into a large space heater - to quickly warm up the floor.
8 ) Chimney Sheep draft excluder* - £22 allowed us to seal off our chimney from drafts using this well made (in the UK) woolen excluder. No more unwanted cold or hot air coming down our chimney. *New for 2022.
We plan on installing underfloor heating on the ground floor of our townhouse to further increase efficiency while also adding weather compensation to our boiler as well.
edit: added missing "tank" in above. (edited)
My bedroom went as low as 4°C, so I moved everything into the lounge, which got a little sunlight, and, I'm sure, was warmed by the lady above keeping her flat so warm. I went right through winter without putting heaters on.
Someone has already mentioned fleece over couches above in a question, but it is a worthy point to raise. I have, this year, draped a fleece right over the seat - it prevents drafts and the sides and back are available to pull over. What a difference.
It goes without saying to cover your head, and keep your neck warm.
I also put my feet/legs into a sleeping bag - this prevents drafts affecting me, and makes me toasty before leaping into bed. A bed is a great insulater, hop in when you're cold to the core and you'll take a while to heat up - better to be toasty before you get in. (edited)
I also have a 600w smart infrared panel heater on the wall of my smallest room. I can whack the thermostat up to max 32 and heats the room fast. Otherwise I just have it set at 21 degrees on the thermostat overnight.
I’m not sure about costs but I’m pretty sure they’re better than the fan heaters I was using.
Thing is, I've also lost a stone in weight, so now I've got options (edited)
1. Have another hour in bed in the morning on weekends, or go to bed earlier. If you have a TV in the bedroom, why endure a cold living room?
2. Buy a door thermal insulation blanket for the external door you don't use. They're velcro mounted across the top but we also added sticky velcro around the sides. It covers the edges, drapes to the floor like a draught excluder and helps retain heat.
amazon.co.uk/gp/…c=1
3. For those with open fireplaces (who obviously don't intend to use them), fill smaller bin bags with inflatable packing bags and stuff them up into the chimney space above. That will help reduce draughts coming into the house. I tied small strings onto the bags and dangled them down into the fireplace, with labels attached, as a reminder they're up there. Obviously you'd need to do the same, so you don't forget. This works similar to the much more expensive inflatable flu blockers which are very hit and miss in my experience, and not great quality.
amazon.co.uk/gp/…c=1
4. Buy keyhole caps for external doors. You'd be surprised at how draughty these can be. Obviously you can cover them in other ways but you don't want to make it a hassle getting in and our.
However tiny or irrelevant you may feel each is, the cumulative effect will add up. We also turn off the boiler at source for the radiators and only turn it on and then to a low heat where needed, completely circumventing the potential for it to come on due to bad settings.
Finally, switch from direct debit for energy payments and take meter readings per month, then enter them manually and pay for what you've used. Then track that on a googlesheet. You'd be surprised at how much information that will allow you to gather on your usage, without having the intrusion of smart meters and all the power (no pun intended) they hand to energy firms. (edited)
Not sure that's such good advice.
I know it's annoying when you build up a credit balance on your energy account, but you'll still only pay for what you actually use and any credit balance is still your money not theirs.
I'd rather pay a lower tariff and build up credit, than end up paying more in the long run.
Plus, you can ask for a large credit balance to be refunded.
Also, many people prefer the stability of a known DD amount so they can budget each month.
Some people would have a big shock with a winter that's 3 or 4 times bigger than a summer time bill. (edited)
Defrost foods first so they don't take as long to cook
Try and use the microwave, rather than an oven.
Turn off plugs at night, not just stand by switches
Don't have the TV on if you're not watching it
Get loads of loungewear stuff to wear, fleeces, socks even a hat. Who cares what you look like. (edited)
My 1970s house has cavity wall insulation and loads of loft insulation but it was still cold in winter. I fitted stormguard weatherstrip around every window and external door and the house was instantly a lot warmer. I can heat my house for an hour and it stays warm for most of the day after that.
I also fitted on some of the doors draught excluder brushes to keep the cold from coming in under the door.
By replacing all the cold water in the pipes with hot, you're actually wasting a whole bucket of hot water just to wash your hands.
Cold water and soap is usually fine.
The normal rate is 2% per month, and doubled to 4% for October/November.
The cashback can be worth £60 a year with DD payments of £250 a month.
Happy to be overpaying on my DD for a couple of months while I'm earning double cashback.