WITH colder weather on the horizon and energy bills set to rise again, preparing your home for winter has never been more important.
From October 1, the energy price cap will increase by 2%, meaning the average annual bill for households paying by direct debit will rise from £1,720 to £1,755.
Despite falling wholesale prices, Ofgem says this increase reflects the ongoing costs of maintaining Britain’s energy infrastructure.
As households brace for higher costs, finding ways to save on energy bills is crucial.
Fortunately, there are plenty of simple and affordable measures you can take to keep your home warm without overspending.
From topping up loft insulation to draught-proofing windows, doors, and chimneys, small changes can make a big difference.
Here’s how to prep your home for winter and saving up to £801 on your energy bills.
Upgrade your radiator valves – save £75 a year
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) work by controlling the flow of hot water inside a radiator.
These energy-saving gadgets work by detecting the temperature of a room and then controlling how much hot water is let into the radiator.
TRVs have numbers printed on them, which roughly correspond to the room temperatures shown above.
So if the room is colder than the number it’s positioned to, the TRV will sense this and allow more hot water into the radiator to heat up the room quickly.
As the room gets warmer, the TRV will restrict the amount of hot water coming into the radiator to maintain the temperature of the room.
And as the room temperature starts to drop, the TRV senses the temperature and will allow more hot water in again, repeating the process.
The average household can save up to £75 every year if they have thermostatic radiator valves fitted on all their radiators, according to British Gas.
Experts recommend that households should set their TRV to 2 or 3 in the average room.
If you don’t need to heat a room, set your radiator TRV on the lowest setting.
This will give the devices frost protection and will allow hot water to briefly pass through but only if the temperature drops below 7°C.
You can grab a TRV at most local hardware stores, including B&Q, where prices start at just £6.42.
Tweak your boiler – save £65 a year
You could save up to £65 annually on energy bills by lowering your boiler’s flow temperature to 60°C or below, according to experts at Nesta.
Adjusting this setting can cut gas consumption by around 8% for an average household, equating to 940kWh of gas savings.
The boiler flow temperature controls how hot the water is when it leaves your boiler to circulate through your radiators and heat your home.
Emily Seymour, Energy Editor at Which?, said: “Most homes use wet central heating systems, with boilers typically set to heat water to 75-80°C.
“However, condensing combi boilers can work efficiently at lower flow temperatures of 60-65°C, reducing gas usage and improving efficiency.”
Lowering the flow temperature means radiators will take longer to heat rooms, but well-insulated homes can still maintain comfortable temperatures while using less energy.
Set your thermostat – save £90 a year
Setting your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, typically between 18°C and 21°C, is one of the easiest ways to cut costs while keeping your home warm.
And lowering it by just 1°C could save you up to £90 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “Every degree you increase your thermostat can hike your heating bill by around 10%, so finding the right balance is crucial.
“Set it too high, and you’ll waste money. Set it too low, and you risk damp and potential health problems.”
Experts also advise against turning up the thermostat on colder days.
Your home will still heat to the set temperature, although it may take longer.
To stay warm, simply set your heating to come on earlier during winter mornings.
Check your radiators – save £25 a year
Trapped air inside radiators could be adding to your energy bills by making them less efficient – but fixing the problem is quick, cheap, and easy.
Common signs of radiator problems include clunking sounds, groaning noises, and cold spots when the heating is on, often caused by trapped air.
While you could pay a plumber £100 an hour to sort it, you can tackle it yourself with a simple radiator key.
The Range is currently selling radiator keys for just £1.99, making it an affordable way to give your radiator a clean and boost its efficiency.
How do I bleed my radiators?
TO bleed a radiator, turn off your heating and wait for the radiator to cool.
Place a bucket or towel beneath the radiator valve to catch any water that may escape.
Use a radiator key to gently open the valve at the top of the radiator until you hear hissing air escaping.
Once water starts to trickle out, close the valve tightly.
After bleeding the radiator, you’ll need to check your boiler’s pressure as it may have dropped.
If it’s below 1 bar, you’ll need to top it up using the filling loop until the pressure reads between 1 and 1.5 bar, ensuring your heating system runs efficiently.
Top up loft insulation – save £390
Insulation works by creating a thermal barrier that traps heat inside your home, reducing the need to turn on your central heating.
In a typical British home, around 25% of heat escapes through the ceiling, loft, and roof – wasting energy and money.
Most homes already have some loft insulation, usually a few inches deep between the joists.
However, experts recommend increasing the depth to 270mm (about the length of a 30cm ruler) for maximum efficiency.
Dean Taylor, founder of The Loft Boys, advises upgrading your insulation to this level to see the biggest savings.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, topping up your loft insulation could cut your annual energy bills by £390 for a detached house, £230 for a semi-detached, £210 for a mid-terrace, and £390 for a detached bungalow.
If you only need to top up a small area, Screwfix offers six-metre rolls of insulation for as little as £25, making it an affordable way to boost your home’s energy efficiency.
Draught proofing – save £145 a year
Draught-proofing your home is a simple way to cut energy bills and make your space more comfortable.
Blocking draughts around windows, doors, and floors could save you around £85 a year, according to Energy Saving Trust.
Plus, if you have an open chimney, draught-proofing it when not in use could save you an extra £60 a year.
If you have an open chimney, draught proofing your chimney when you’re not using it could save around £60 a year in GB and £65 in NI.
Draught-free homes retain heat better, meaning you can stay cosy at lower thermostat settings.
Lidl has recently seen a surge in shoppers rushing to snap up its £4.99 draught excluder.
What energy bill help is available?
There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
