Yikes! Your energy bill has just dropped on your doormat. And then the panic starts to set in. With the average household’s heating bills rising by a whopping 10% in 2024 (and still climbing in 2025), it’s no surprise that many people dread opening that energy bill envelope. But there are still savings you could be making on your household’s bills, and with a few small changes, you could make a massive difference to your pocket.
Check out Smartheat’s helpful guide below with 8 tips to reduce your heating costs without sacrificing warmth and comfort.
1. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Heating System
If you’ve got an old or inefficient heating system, it will 100% be costing you money. All boilers sold in the UK now are at least 90% efficient or A-rated. However, historically, boilers were made to different standards, with some as low as 70% efficient or G-rated. In simple terms, just by upgrading your boiler system, you could be making a household saving of over £340 on your yearly heating bills (according to the Energy Saving Trust). By replacing an older model, not only are you reducing your costs but also your carbon footprint too, as by installing a new A-rated system, you could save over 1,500kg of carbon monoxide a year as well.
Another thing to consider is installing smart heating controls. These nifty little gadgets can control your heating system at the touch of a button, and some thermostats can also learn your daily habits and reduce unnecessary energy usage. They also allow you to access your heating remotely, giving you the ability to turn off your heating at those pesky times when you’ve forgotten or allowing you to make sure your house is nice and cosy for your return. If you would like to discuss upgrading your system and saving those pennies for something more exciting, then give us a call today to find out the best options for your household
2. Using Your Heating System More Efficiently
Making small adjustments to the way you heat your house can create some big savings on your monthly bills. Reducing your thermostat by just 1% can cut heating costs by around 10% per year. Also, with whatever heating system you currently have, you can practise zonal heating, which will save on unnecessary heating usage. By splitting your house into ‘zones’, you can only heat the rooms that need heating or are in use. By heating unused rooms and spaces, you are wasting money. You can achieve this by using smart thermostats or manually adjusting heating systems and radiators.
You may have heard the old adage ‘it’s cheaper to leave your heating on low all the time’, but unfortunately that’s not the case. The best way to save is by only turning your heating on when you need it. Even the money-saving master, Martin Lewis agrees. On his MoneySavingExpert website, he explains: ‘Having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money.’
3. Bleed Your Radiators Regularly
Are your radiators making a strange gurgling sound? Or perhaps they are colder at the bottom than they are at the top? This might be a signal that they need to be bled. Radiators that need to be bled have trapped air inside of them that prevents the hot water from circulating properly and makes it more difficult for your heating system to operate at its best efficiency. It is really important to bleed your radiators regularly to keep your boiler running efficiently, we suggest bleeding them every couple of months and especially after long periods without use (like at the end of the summer). You can bleed your radiators yourself, but if you want to leave it to the professionals (we don’t blame you!) or have run into an issue, get in touch today and we can take a look for you.
4. System Flushing To Keep It In Tip-Top Shape
Another issue that could be causing havoc to your heating system and increasing those monthly bills is a build-up of sludge, debris, or rust in pipes and radiators. This buildup can restrict water flow and reduce heating efficiency, but a power flush cleans the insides of your pipes, radiators, and boiler to remove dirt before flushing the polluted water through and out of your heating system and replenishing it with new water. Although not the cheapest service, a power flush can improve your overall heating efficiency and extend the lifespan of your boiler, minimising the need for costly repairs or early replacements in the future.
A power flush should only be undertaken by a professional plumber or heating engineer, as the risks are great for flooding and/or personal injury – it is just not worth it to try it yourself. If you notice cold spots on your radiators or think they might be clogged, contact us today. Our expert engineers will get to you quickly and get your radiators running properly.
5. Take Advantage of Off-Peak Heating
Choosing the right energy tariff can save you money. Do your research and pick the best tariff that suits you and your household’s heating requirements. If you are on an off-peak tariff, you should schedule your heating at the cheaper designated off-peak times, often overnight, but it is well worth checking with your energy supplier for the exact time window. You should also only schedule your heating for when you need it most ; a programmable thermostat is perfect for this and prevents wasted energy when you are out or the heating is not needed.
6. Keep the Heat In & the Cold Out
A few simple tricks can reduce heat loss and keep your home warm and toasty. You should close doors to unused rooms, this helps to trap heat where it is needed, and you can turn the radiators off or down in the rooms that you are not using. As heat naturally rises, you can usually afford to turn your radiators down slightly in your upstairs rooms (depending on the insulation), allowing the boost to push to the downstairs radiators in rooms that are harder to heat. You can also move your furniture away from the radiators to allow warm air to circulate freely and use radiator reflectors to bounce heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through the walls.
7. Annual Boiler Servicing
We get it, boiler servicing can seem like a hassle. But regardless of the hassle, facts are facts, and a regular annual boiler service can save you money. Not only will it protect you from costly emergency repairs by detecting faults early, but it will also prolong the life of your boiler. A professional boiler service by a Gas Safe registered engineer will improve the efficiency of your boiler by cleaning and thoroughly inspecting all the components of your boiler, including pipework and a flue check. By servicing your boiler annually, you will also be protecting your warranty.
At Smartheat, we take the hassle out of booking a boiler service. Our local engineers, serving Peterborough and the surrounding areas, will book a time that suits you, minimising the disruption to your day. Our services start from £85 + VAT, and we work with all types of boilers for domestic and commercial customers.
8. Look for Government Grants & Support
There are various schemes from the Government to help households reduce their heating costs and to improve their energy efficiency. It is always worth checking whether you are eligible for a grant, such as a boiler upgrade, insulation grants, or discounts on home energy bills. Check your eligibility here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-to-heat or contact your boiler installer to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Saving money doesn’t have to mean freezing in winter! We know that the cost of living crisis is a serious issue in the UK right now, but a few smart adjustments can make a huge difference to both your comfort and your energy costs.
Looking for an efficient heating system? Get in touch today to find out how a modern heating system can help cut your bills!
