Heating
The sun is the most readily available source of heat there is - and the cheapest! So make the most of it by opening internal doors of any rooms which get more sun than others and let the warm air travel through your home. Remember to close your curtains at dusk to keep the heat in.
Putting reflective foil behind radiators on outside walls can help you conserve energy as the heat is reflected back into the room allowing you to turn your thermostat down. You can use normal kitchen foil fixed to a board or specially designed foil from a DIY store. Putting shelves above your radiators can also save between £10 and £15 per year.
- Draught-proofing with simple DIY supplies can give low cost gains (round door frames, letter boxes and windows). You can fill gaps under skirting boards and between floorboards with newspaper or mastic sealant.
- Make sure that radiators and floor heating grills are not blocked by furniture as they absorb heat.
- Turning down the heating thermostat by 1°C saves at least 8% on your fuel bill, and you may not even notice the difference.
- Put thermostatic dials on your radiators so you can control your heating room by room. These can save around 17% off your heating bills, especially if you turn them down / or off in rooms that are not used.
- Replace single glazed windows with double glazed units.
Insulate your loft and wall cavities through one of many available Grant Schemes. Around 30% of heat escapes from your roof and over 30% from your walls! Insulation keeps you warm on cold nights and cool in the summer.
If you need any work doing on your heating system or anywhere else in your house, always use a trusted company either through recommendation by someone who has used them or by contacting Trading Standards.