Home heating costs are one of the aspects of winter many homeowners have come to dread. They can often make up a significant percentage of a utility bill. There are various ways in which you can reduce your heating bill in winter. The condition of your home, the state of your appliances and your own habits all play a part in what you have to pay.
Check the condition and age of your heating system
An older heating system is likely to use much more energy than a modern heating system. It may just be time to replace it with a new system. If you are relying on a fireplace or a wood-burning stove, it is not as energy-efficient as a radiator.
With all the technological advances that have taken place, a new breed of electric radiators offers many energy-saving features that can greatly reduce your bills. If you choose electric towel rails for your bathroom, this is a good start. You can ensure your bathroom temperature is comfortable and your towels are warm and dry. Companies such as Rointe, Dimplex, and Best Electric Radiators all offer bathroom electric radiators with energy-saving features. Many products even have WiFi connectivity so you can control them at any time and from anywhere.
Maintain your interior temperature
One of the best ways to save electricity is to maintain the interior temperature in your home. You can’t do this if you have cold air filtering in through cracks. Poor insulation can cause as much as 25% of heat loss. You need to make sure all leaks are well sealed. Leaking air can affect consumption, making it extremely difficult to reduce your monthly bills.
Increasing your insulation will help you to maintain interior temperate. Hanging heavy curtains and using thick rugs or carpets on the floor will also keep the heat in so you will spend less. Draught excluders at the bottom of doors can also prevent chilly draughts of air from blowing in.
Don’t heat rooms you aren’t using
It may seem obvious but it doesn’t make sense to heat rooms you aren’t using. Close the doors of these rooms and allow heat to collect in the areas of your home you are using. Heat dissipates quickly in a large drafty house with cracks and unused rooms with open doors.
If you have modern radiators, you are likely to have controls that enable you to manage your heating in different rooms and turn them off when you leave home. Actions such as being able to control the temperature in different rooms of your home can increase your savings.
Don’t put anything on top of your radiators
Putting wet clothing on top of radiators to dry them can have a negative effect if you want to save on heating. This doesn’t allow proper air circulation and so your home will take longer to reach the right temperature. When your electric heating system has to work harder, it increases consumption. You can still place a clothes drying rack near your radiator as long as it doesn’t block the air circulation.
Make use of natural sunlight
You may see much less of the sun in winter but there will still be times when it appears. Try to use the rays of the sun as much as you can to help you warm your home in the daytime. If you have shades or curtains, open them up to take full advantage of the warmth and close them tightly at night to provide more insulation.
Prevent heat from escaping from ducts
The ducts in your home can be a source of heat loss, particularly when they are in areas that aren’t insulated. Sealing ducts around the joints with products such as mastic sealant or foil tape can help keep warm air from seeping out.
Use ceiling fans
If you have ceiling fans in any room, you can reverse the direction of the blades so they turn clockwise in winter. This clockwise movement of the blades means that warm air trapped near the ceiling is distributed throughout the room. You shouldn’t feel air blowing down on you if the blades are spinning in the right direction and this simple action can help you lower your heating bills.
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