5 Ways to Save Money on Your Heating Bill Going Into 2021

Remember the days when we all left home for school or the workplace? A time when we  could turn the thermostat down for the majority of the day, programming it to boost the heat when we get home? Well, lockdown restrictions and a brutal winter have put paid to that. With the majority of people working from home, heating costs are set to spiral for the first quarter of 2021. Given that large proportions of household budgets are spent on energy, and that heating and hot water account for almost half of your energy bills, it’s an obvious place to look to make savings. 

So how can you save money on your heating bills and trim back on your monthly outgoings? Here are our top five tips:

1. Turn down your thermostat

Did you know that by turning your thermostat down by just 1 degree Centigrade, you could save up to £80 per year? If this makes your main living room a bit too chilly, then you can invest in portable electric heaters. That way, you can boost the heat in the rooms you live in, without having to turn up the temperature in the whole of your home, wasting it in empty rooms. 

2. Invest in a new boiler or switch to all-electric

Upgrading to a new A-rated condensing boiler from a G-rated unit could offer savings of up to £300 a year. However, a new boiler is expensive – costs range from £1,250 to nearly £4,000. Moreover, given the government’s stance on climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, this may not be the best investment for your property. Electric radiators, underfloor heating and ground- and air-source heat pumps are gaining in popularity. Using energy from renewable and sustainable sources is the way of the future. Indeed, climate change experts are pushing for a total ban on the sale of gas boilers from 2033, so these alternative heating solutions are a better long-term solution for homeowners.

3. Install a smart thermostat 

Whether you have a gas boiler or electric heating system, there are many smart thermostats on the market. This smart tech allows you to check the temperature of your home on your smartphone or tablet, allowing not only monitoring but also programming from wherever you are, even from halfway around the world! By adapting to changes in your schedule, you’ll only be heating your home – and individual rooms within your homes – exactly when you need the heat. This will help lower your energy bills, so it’s definitely the smart move for homeowners. Smart thermostats can be fitted to most central heating systems, and there are several excellent models available. Here are some of the best thermostats on the market today:

• Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation)
• Hive Active Heating 2
• Tado Smart Thermostat V3
• Google Nest Thermostat E
• Honeywell Evohome
• Drayton Wiser Multi-Zone Smart Thermostat

Each model comes with different features and price points. Some useful additional features to look out for include: smart radiator valves, energy saving calculators, open window detection and geofencing. (Geofencing is where the smart thermostat can detect your location, automatically turning down the heating when you leave the home, and dialling it up as you approach your home.)

4. Switch energy suppliers

At one time, changing energy suppliers was quite complicated. However, it’s now very straightforward. With tariffs constantly fluctuating, you should always be on the lookout for a better rate, if your fixed tariff is due to expire. 

This is especially true if you’re already out of contract. This is the term used for when your energy tariff has expired and you’ve moved onto a standard variable tariff. Although standard – or default – tariffs are capped, they’re always more expensive than the energy deals on the market. Indeed, you could save up to £219 per year on your energy bills simply by moving from a standard tariff to a cheaper supplier and deal. The energy regulator Ofgem estimates that 11 million households are on these standard tariffs, as people forget or don’t want the hassle of changing suppliers. But clearly there are big savings to be made here.

5. Draught-proof the property

Big annual savings can be accrued by sealing and draught-proofing your property. Measures include:

• Seal up any gaps – areas to consider here include windows, doors, fireplaces, and loft hatches. Windows can be sealed using draught-proofing strips. For doors, draught-proofing strips and brush strips are popular fixes; other easy solutions include lined curtains and draught excluder cushions. To prevent heat escaping up an unused or rarely used chimney, deploy inflatable draught excluders. Chimney pots – caps that fit over the chimney – are also a popular option, but these are most costly at £150 and must be fitted by a professional. Given that heat rises, another avenue where heat is lost and cold air can enter the home is through the loft hatch. Use a compression seal or foam strips around the perimeter of the hatch. Installing loft insulation (see below) will also help address this issue.  
• Invest in double glazing – many older properties still have single pane windows. Not only do these allow a lot of heat loss, but they also allow a lot of noise to enter the property. Installing double glazing will not only insulate your home, reducing your heating bills, but it will also sound-proof your home. It may be costly to install, but double glazing can save £110 a year in a semi-detached property. 
• Insulate your cavity walls – insulating your home using cavity wall insulation can deliver big annual savings on your heating bills. Cavity wall insulation utilises mineral fibre, polystyrene beads or polyurethane foam to fill the empty gap between the cavity walls of the property. Typical installation costs range from £610 for a detached property to £390 for a mid-terrace; however with energy savings of up to £275 per year achievable for a detached home, the costs will soon be recuperated. 
• Install loft insulation – So that’s the walls of the home insulated, but given that a quarter of the heat can be lost through the roof of the property, it’s also important to ensure you have adequate loft insulation. Loft insulation is really easy to install and uses rolls of mineral wool that are installed between the joists. It costs approximately £300 to install, is good for 40 years and can trim £150 a year from your energy bills.

So as you can see, going into 2021 there are several key ways you can save money on your heating bills. If part of your solution is investing in electric heating, then get in touch with us today. Our team of experts can guide you to the best electric heating options for your home or office. Contact us on 01252 560770 or email enquiries@electricheatingexpert.co.uk.