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As temperatures plummet, particularly during a snowstorm, you’re probably tempted to crank up the heat to keep you toasty. But even with a smart thermostat set to a comfortable temperature, certain common habits could be causing your heating bill to spike this winter.
By making a few simple adjustments to your heating routine, you could be saving a substantial amount of money on your energy bills. So if you want to ensure you’re not wasting heat, stop doing these three things if you want to lower your bill right now.
1. Leaving your heat on longer than it needs to be
Whether you’re a remote worker or looking after children at home, you’ll need to keep warm and cozy all day. However, one mistake we often make is to run our heating for as long as possible to keep us toasty.
According to experts, it’s more cost-effective to run your heating for short bursts, rather than keeping it on all day. “It’s usually cheaper to turn your heating on for short bursts, rather than keeping it on all day,” states Stephen Hankinson, Heating Expert at Electric Radiators Direct.
"This is because you’ll be steadily losing energy throughout the day when the heating is on constantly, and never really benefit from the warmth due to it being at such a low level.”
One good tip is to program your heating to turn on just before you wake up in the mornings and then off again by the time you leave for work. For more handy tips, find out how long you keep your heat on each day in winter.
2. You keep leaving internal doors open
Another common habit we often do is keep our internal doors open. To reduce heat loss and lower your energy bills, be sure to completely close all internal doors. This simple action will stop chilly drafts from moving throughout your house.
In addition, check that your door and windows are properly insulated, and there are no gaps or warps to allow cold air in. A quick and easy hack to tell if you’re losing valuable heat is the ‘paper test’ to check for drafts. You simply close your door or window on a sheet of paper. If you can pull that paper out easily without any resistance, that indicates that your seals are likely worn or have flattened over time.
With that in mind, it's important to check your windowsills and doorframes for any compromised seals. Doing this inspection around your home will help ensure you're not losing heat. You can prevent drafts by sealing gaps with weatherstripping or draft excluders to seal these gaps. Weatherstripping is available in various materials, such as foam, rubber, or metal, and can be easily applied to the window frame.
3. Heating rooms that are not used
Similarly, if you’re consistently in one room, or there are unused rooms in the home, heating these spaces will only spike your energy bill. Make it a habit to lower the radiators in rooms you aren't using, like guest bedrooms or storage rooms. After all, it’s pointless heating up a space nobody is using.
In addition, consider where you place your furniture. Large items such as sofas or beds placed against cold exterior walls can absorb warmth, making it harder for you to keep a cozy temperature. In fact, moving them just a few inches forward helps hot air circulate more freely.
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