Let’s look at what you can do to lower your heating and energy bills to reduce consumption and save money this winter.

Draughts must be stopped:

First, identify the ‘trouble locations’ where draughts are causing problems in your home. After that, there are several things you can do to prevent draughts in various parts of your home.

If your windows are the primary source of draughts, you can buy draught-proofing strips for the window frame; however, brush strips are best suited for sash windows. Closing heavy curtains can also help to keep draughts at bay in your home. Use clingfilm over your windows to create a temporary layer of secondary glazing for a quick, cheap, unconventional remedy for draughty windows. Installing quality hardwood window shutters is also an excellent way to help insulate your home and add value simultaneously.

Fireplaces and chimneys:

Skip this one if you use your fireplace, but if you don’t and have an open chimney, there are techniques to reduce fireplace draughts. Why not try blocking a chimney with an inflated cushion or fitting a chimney pot with a cap?

Floorboards and skirting:

If you have holes in your floorboards or skirting boards, you can prevent hot air from escaping by filling them. However, because floorboards need to move, use a silicone-based filler.

Upgrade your thermostat:

Your thermostat regulates the temperature of your home by talking with your boiler. When the temperature in your home reaches the temperature you specify on the thermostat; your boiler will turn off until the temperature dips below it again. But have you ever considered how old your thermostat is?

If you have an old-fashioned thermostat, you may notice a 3-5°C delay in your boiler turning back on. That may not seem like much, but your boiler will need to heat your house for longer to return to your set temperature, which means it will use more energy.

Find a local electrician to supply and fit a more current thermostat may be more precise and save you money by reducing energy waste.

Choose which rooms to heat:

This is especially important for anyone who has a home office and works from home this winter.

There’s no point in heating a spare bedroom or the hallway (unless you need to dry your socks and have no other options), so why not be more selective with the places you heat?

You can manage your heating by room if you have thermostatic radiator valves. They will let you turn down the heat in rooms you aren’t using, reducing the heat and energy you use to stay warm and therefore saving you money.

Unplug energy vampires:

Energy vampires are appliances and gadgets that consume electricity when not in use. Chargers, laptops, televisions, game consoles, and even the kettle are guilty of consuming energy you don’t need to use.

So, how do you keep them from draining your energy supply? – Unplugging them or turning off the plugs at the wall could save you a significant amount of money.