During the winter months it is important to keep your home warm for the whole family. However, this can be an expensive task. Read on for nine tips to help reduce your energy bills.
1. Switch Providers
The first thing to do is to check your energy bills and consider switching providers. Most people can make a big saving simply from shopping around and using a comparison site.
2. Heating Timers
Use a timer for your heating. This means it only comes on when you need it, and you can set it to go off while you are asleep and out the house.
3. Keep Doors Closed
Heat escapes easily, so keep doors to rooms closed. If you have built up some heat through radiators, the fire or even just body heat within a room, close the door to retain it.
4. Turn Down the Thermostat
Most people won’t notice one degree of heat change, so turn down the thermostat and make a saving. Lowering the heating by only one degree can save 10% on your energy bill. The WHO says a setting of 18 degrees is suitable for healthy people who are appropriately dressed.
5. Portable Heaters
Buy a portable heater so you can heat just the area of the house you are using. If you spend most time in the sitting room, you could turn off the heating and keep a portable heater with you. Although your electricity bill will rise, your heating will fall dramatically.
6. Insulation
Ensure doors and windows are insulated properly. Use draught excluders to seal door frames and windows and get rid of draughts. A Conservatories Evesham company can help to ensure that any addition to your home is fully draught proof.
7. Seal the Fireplace
If you don’t use the fireplace, seal it up to stop the draughts and keep the heat in. You could also use temporary insulation material – just remember to remove it if you use the fire!
8. Thermal Curtains
Choosing thermal material for curtains or at least very thick and heavy material will help to insulate your rooms. You could also line your existing curtains with some thermal material.
9. Foil the Radiators
Put tin foil behind radiators with the shiny side facing the radiator. This will reflect the heat back into the room.
