20 ways to save money on your gas bill
Save money with our 20 ways to lower your heating bill
Saving money on your heating bill is not only beneficial for your wallet but also good for the environment. Here are 20 practical ways you can reduce your heating bill:
1. **Insulate Your Home:** Improve the thermal performance of your home with sufficient insulation in the roof, walls, and floor to reduce heat loss.
2. **Upgrade Your Boiler:** An old boiler may not operate with full efficiency. Replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model can lead to significant savings.
3. **Install a Programmable Thermostat:** You can reduce your heating bill by tailoring your heating to your schedule. A programmable thermostat allows you to manipulate temperatures throughout the day.
4. **Seal Leaks:** Drafts can waste 5%-30% of energy use. Make sure all windows, doors, and cracks are adequately sealed with weather-strip or caulk.
5. **Use Heavy Curtains or Blinds:** They help to keep warmth inside your rooms during the winter and reduce heating costs.
6. **Have Your Boiler Serviced Annually:** Regular servicing can pinpoint any issues that may cause your boiler to work inefficiently, so it's worth doing this annually.
7. **Use Radiator Panels:** They reflect heat back into the room instead of going into the wall, which can save energy.
8. **Turn Down the Thermostat:** A degree or two lower can shave up to 10% off your heating expenditure.
9. **Bleed Your Radiators:** Trapped air can cause cold spots, meaning your radiator won't be as efficient.
10. **Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances:** Older applicances tend to use more energy. Replacing them with energy-efficient models can help cut costs in the long run.
11. **Use a Smart Thermostat:** Smart thermostats allow for remote control from your smartphone and learn from your behaviors, adjusting the temperature on its own for maximum efficiency.
12. **Use Heat Only in Rooms You Use:** Closing off rooms you're not using will prevent the heat from dissipating into these areas, thereby concentrating it in the rooms where it's needed.
13. **Use a Humidifier:** Humid air can retain heat better than dry air. Using a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air can help you feel more comfortable at lower temperatures.
14. **Maintain a Consistent Temperature:** Rather than turning your heat up and down, keep a consistent, lower temperature. It uses up less energy to maintain.
15. **Cover Bare Floors:** Carpeting and rugs can help to conserve heat and keep your feet warmer, letting you reduce the heating slightly.
16. **Use a Hot Water Cylinder Jacket:** This will help to prevent heat loss, keeping your water hotter for longer periods of time.
17. **Choose Energy Tariffs Wisely:** Be aware of your energy tariff options and pick the ones that are the most suitable and economical for you.
18. **Dress for the Weather:** Instead of turning up the heat, wear layers to keep warm.
19. **Install Heat Reflective Foil behind Radiators:** It reflects the heat back into the room instead of losing it through the wall.
20. **Regularly Replace HVAC Filters:** Dirty filters can make your system work harder, thereby increasing energy use.
By implementing these steps, you can keep costs down, and have a warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient home. It's always helpful to consider both immediate and long-term benefits, bearing in mind that upfront investments can translate to significant savings over time.
