‘I’m an expert – this £20 hack can save you money on heating bills’ | Personal Finance | Finance
An expert has shared the best ways you can heat your home without spending a fortune.
Each winter, Brits look for the best ways to save money while keeping their home warm – but an expert has shared which tricks will work, and which won’t.
With colder weather on the way, temperatures have started to plummet and as the weather becomes more wintery, there’s no better time than now to learn the best heating hacks.
An expert from MyBuilder.com has put together a guide to heat your home in an energy efficient way and save some money on your bills.
Andy Simms, renovation expert from MyBuilder.com, said hot water cylinder jackets can help you save money without the need for any major building work.
Painting radiators, he said, will not save you money on heating bills, and the main reason people do this is instead because of the current trend of “colour drenching” which sees wall colours continued over doors, skirting, and ceilings.
Mr Simms continued: “While painting radiators can look stylish, it is unlikely to save you money on your bills. There are more effective ways to make your heating more efficient.
“A hot water cylinder jacket, for example, is a cheap hack that costs just £20 but can realistically save you hundreds of pounds over the years.
“There’s a good mix of simple steps you can take to help save on heating costs, but the best strategy is to combine these with more permanent solutions that you’d need to get the experts in to do.”
Other tips to save money on your heating include getting your boiler serviced. While this may seem obvious, many people don’t get their boiler services as they should. MyBuilder.com said statistics recently showed that many UK homeowners are delaying getting their annual service due to the cost of living crisis, but it’s one area you can’t scrimp on.
Getting your boiler serviced ahead of cold weather ensures you will stay warm, and can prevent more costly issues with our boiler in the future.
Also, bleeding your radiators will help let excess air out of your radiator meaning they will heat up faster and you’ll be able to feel the benefit of your heating quickly.
Having good insulation is another way to protect your home from cold weather – even though it’s a bit pricier, it can help you make significant savings in the long run.
Finally, windows are a major source of heat loss in your home, especially if your windows are old. According to government statistics, 18% of heat loss occurs through windows. Also, 7% of UK homes have no double glazing – and single glazing is far less efficient. It is worth getting a professional to assess the condition of your windows and consider the cost savings in the long term of upgrading.
