Using heating effectively

Heating and hot water account for around two thirds of your fuel bill. It's easy to waste a lot of heat but there are many free and low-cost steps you can take to save energy – and money. Spending just a small amount on reducing your energy consumption can save you a lot more in the long run.

Energy-saving facts

• Draughts can account for up to 24 per cent of heat lost.
• Draught-proofing can cut your heating bill by up to 10 per cent.
• Adding insulation to your hot water cylinder can cut heat loss by 75 per cent.
• Turning down the heating thermostat by just one degree is equal to turning it off for two hours.
• Turning up the room thermostat will not heat up a room faster.

Energy-saving tips

Programme your central heating

You can save energy by turning your heating off at night and when your home is empty. Try setting the heating to come on just before you get up or get home from work and set it to go off before you go to bed. In very cold weather, keep the heating on low to prevent frozen pipes.

In warmer weather, you can set the heating to come on for shorter periods, turn the radiator thermostats down or even turn the heating off completely.

See adjusting your central heating for information on how your central heating works.

Reduce heat loss

To help reduce heat loss, draw the curtains when it gets dark outside. This helps prevent heat escaping through the windows. You can also use thick curtains with linings.

Keeping doors closed will help prevent heat loss. It is also helpful to close any doors adjoining a hall before opening external doors.

You can reduce draughts by:

• fitting a flap over the letterbox
• fitting draught excluder strips around external door frames and window frames
• tucking the bottom of curtains onto the windowsill
• tucking curtains behind radiators.

Fitting an insulation jacket on the hot water cylinder, putting lagging around hot water pipes and using a good underlay with carpets are all effective ways of reducing your heating costs.

Controlling your heating costs

Spend wisely

Following these simple steps will help you control the amount of money you pay for your energy bills:

• keep an eye on fuel prices to make sure you are paying the lowest price, using websites like uSwitch
• check your meter reading against your bill, especially if it is an estimated reading
• check you are on the best tariff for your usage and whether there is an economy tariff that would suit your needs.

In general, prepayment meters are a very expensive way of paying electricity and heating costs.

Change your routine

You may be able to make adjustments to your daily routine to take advantage of cheap energy tariffs. Ask yourself:

• how often you need hot water
• whether you need all the radiators on
• whether you need the water so hot
• whether you could reduce the room temperatures.

Use appliances wisely

Bar fires and fan heaters use up a lot of electricity, so try to limit your use of them if possible.

When you leave a room, don't forget to turn off the lights.

More information

For more information about saving energy in your home contact your housing officer.