Keep warm for less this winter

Keeping our homes warms this winter is very important, yet many of us worry that it can also be very expensive.

So we have put together Top Five Tips to save money on heating this winter:

Did you know that if you turn your home thermostat down by just 1 degree this could cut your heating bills by up to 10%? Most of us would not notice the slight change in temperature but it could save you a lot of money. It is also worth installing room thermostats and boiler thermostats if you do not already have them as using these carefully can also save you money.

Though it may sound strange, it can also be more economical to keep your heating on constantly at a temperature instead of switching it on and off throughout the day. This is because your heating system will use more energy to start up the heating and get it to the required temperature than it would if it provides a constant low level of low warmth.

When the family is at home for a day, they generate a lot of heat! If you think about a typical day, there are likely to be showers and baths, use of the oven and hob, and perhaps any combination of dishwasher, washing machine and tumble drier. All of these generate heat, so once you have finished leave the appliance door open and the room door open and the residual warm air will contribute to the general ambient heat of your home.

It’s horrifying how easy it is to spend a small fortune on heating bills only to have much of that heating wasted because it’s escaping out of the house. So do make sure that you keep all your heating in. Keep doors and windows shut, and seal any sources of draught such as fireplaces, light fittings, under doors and ventilation panels. A good way to check your home for draughts in unexpected places it to light a candle and see if there is any change to the direction of the smoke from the candle.

If you do find the source of a draught you can then find a way to seal it, and may also want to consider adding some kind of insulating material. Also have a good look round the outside your home to see if there are any other potential areas where heat could escape.

It’s also a good idea to turn off bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans as soon as they have done their job to prevent them generating cold air.

Even if you have checked your windows for draughts and they are ok, you will still notice a difference if you keep them covered when it is dark outside, as this will reduce heat loss and keep out cold air. The opposite applies during the day: keeping your windows uncovered will help to warm up your home. Even if the quality of sunlight appears to be very weak, its rays will still be strong enough to bring some additional warmth into your home.

Last but not least! These days we tend to look for technological solutions to every problem and have got into the habit of turning the heating on or up when we feel cold. But don’t overlook the more obvious solution of adding more layers. Either put on your favourite sweater or onesie or snuggle up in a warm blanket. In particular, make sure your feet are warm in some snug socks or slippers. Adding an extra layer or two will enable you to keep that thermostat down andsave you money this winter.

We hope that the above tips help you to keep warm and cosy this winter. Remember to check back here soon for more money saving tips from LoanPig.