It will come as no surprise that you use more energy in the winter, but that first hefty energy bill of the season might be more of a shock. Heating a home, while often necessary during the colder months in the UK, can sometimes end up being more expensive than anticipated, and it can often feel like there’s nothing that can be done about it.
Well, fear not, because in this blog, our energy experts will be covering 6 ways you can keep your bills to a minimum even when you feel you’re using maximum energy! With these winter home energy saving tips, you could end up with far more disposable income for other, more exciting winter essentials.
6 Winter Home Energy Saving Tips From Bbright
Bbright’s energy experts know exactly what it takes to efficiently heat a home without ramping up the bills. Take our winter home energy saving tips on board from today, and you could see significant change in the coming months.
1. Get a smart meter
If you don’t already have a smart meter, you’re likely missing out on savings. A smart meter provides a constant overview of how much energy you are using in your household, and how much it is costing you. Having this view will likely prompt you to use your heating system for less time, on top of making small habitual changes elsewhere in the home, for example being mindful of switching off appliances and lights
2. Replace your inefficient boiler
An inefficient boiler is one of the key culprits of high energy bills. If you haven’t had a new boiler for several years, or feel like you are constantly having to repair your current model, the likelihood is that you are due an upgrade. For most homes, we recommend switching to combination boilers for optimum efficiency, but we can conduct an online assessment that will recommend specific models for you, taking into account your circumstances.
3. Utilise your windows
Believe it or not, windows are a great tool for keeping your home at optimum temperature. During the day, keeping curtains and blinds open to let sunlight in can make quite a difference to your home temperature, and at night, making sure they are closed can help to keep the heat inside. Of course, ensuring you have double glazing is vital when it comes to keeping draughts at bay.
4. Choose LED lights
Since the days get much shorter during the winter, the need for lighting dramatically increases. Storms, snow and clouds can even cause us to resort to lighting our homes in the daytime. Switching out bulbs for LED lights is a surefire way to keep costs down, even if it seems like a small change. It’s worth remembering that home energy saving can start with seemingly insignificant switches like this – eventually, if habits are maintained, it will make an impact!
5. Try space heaters
Whether you have a small one-bedroom flat or a large family home, there’s rarely a need to heat every room at once. Using space heaters can limit the amount of time you are using your full heating system, giving you just enough heat to be comfortable in a couple of key areas. This is especially relevant for those who live alone or those who work from home. Alternatively, you could try switching off radiators in rooms that are used less frequently.
6. Use other means for warmth
Winter home energy saving doesn’t have to involve making new purchases. If you’re serious about keeping bills low, try to find other means for keeping warm. This could be as simple as layering up – wearing an extra jumper during the day or adding a couple of blankets to your bed at night. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, put it to good use throughout the day. You could even start leaving the oven door open after use to make the most of its residual heat! Again, while these changes may seem small, together they can seriously reduce your energy costs.
Hopefully these winter home energy saving tips have given you some inspiration as to how you can manage your bills during the colder months. Little changes certainly go a long way in the world of energy!
Could a new boiler solve your winter home energy problems? If you’re noticing inefficiencies with your current heating system, contact our experts at Bbright and get a quote for a boiler replacement before the cold really sets in.
