As we slowly inch closer towards autumn and further away from summer, temperatures in the UK will gradually start to decline. With this shift, the need to prioritise the efficiency of our home energy usage returns, as we aim to boost comfort, while keeping costs down. Tom Edmunds, Heating Expert and General Manager of leading 5-star trust pilot rated British heating brand Wunda Group, shares five practical tips to apply right now for immediate energy savings.
1. Schedule and zone your home
One of the most effective ways to keep energy costs low, while keeping the whole household happy is by controlling your heating room by room. This method, called zoning, has been shown in studies to provide energy savings of up to 37%1, and when paired with an effective heating schedule, can provide immediate and unmatched savings to any size or style of home.
“Leaving the heating on all day in every single room is needlessly expensive, especially if you aren’t using every room,” says Tom. “We recommend continually adjusting and reviewing your heating schedule around the climate, particularly during winter when temperatures fluctuate rapidly. Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can save the average home up to £80 a year on their energy bills.”
Furthermore, when paired with smart controls, a low temperature, water-based underfloor heating system, such as Wunda Rapid Response®, can enhance the efficiency of current heat sources by 40-50%.
2. Optimise your interiors
Rearranging your furniture can sometimes be just the trick to enhance the circulation of heat in your home. Move furniture such as sofas, chairs, and beds away from heat sources like radiators, to ensure they aren’t obstructing or absorbing heat.
“Consider removing radiator covers, they may look nice, but they could in fact be hindering heat circulation. Unless safety is a real concern for young children, you can improve the look of tired looking radiators with a fresh lick of paint. Utilising rugs for hardwood flooring is another great tip to keep warmer underfoot.”
If you are looking for a failsafe, futureproof solution for your home heating, investing in low temperature water-based underfloor heating such as Wunda’s Rapid Response® system is a fantastic way to achieve lower energy consumption and bills, while coming with the added benefit or more floor and wall space. Installation is much easier than it sounds and can even be a weekend job for seasoned DIYers without the need for disruptive weeks of digging up flooring and laying screed.
3. Reduce draughts where possible
Many are unaware that homes can lose 10-20% of their heat through windows and external doors, making it vital to audit and seal any gaps where even the slightest draft could be creeping through. Installing energy efficient glazing and high thermal performance doors is one of the best long-term investments to reduce heat loss and cut bills.
“For a free and sustainable solution, try keeping your curtains closed to help retain heat lost through windows and doorways throughout the night and even in the day in rooms you’re not using. Investing in heavy or thermal lined curtains will yield the best results. In lieu of a separate porch space, a heavy curtain across the front door will prevent unwanted drafts. Make sure to keep both internal and external doors closed, and better yet, invest in an external letterbox and some draught excluders.”
4. Don’t let heat escape, insulate
If your home isn’t properly insulated, any heating system will either underperform or end up costing you more due to longer running times. We can lose up to 25% of heat through the roof2 of an uninsulated home, so this is a great place to start to reduce costly bills.
“Most of our homes already have insulation in the space between the rafters in our lofts but leave the hatch uninsulated. If your loft is particularly susceptible to drafts, insulating and keeping your loft hatch closed could help retain further heat. Simply use standard loft insulation, a specially designed loft hatch insulator cushion, or a simple draft excluder around the hatch opening, most of which are available at your local DIY store.”
5. Never skip on maintenance
Now is the perfect time to schedule your annual heating maintenance. It prepares you for the colder months ahead and is more manageable and cost-effective to address in warmer weather when heating engineers are more available.
A well-maintained furnace or boiler will operate far more efficiently, saving you money in the long run. “Our boilers are often set to the maximum temperature (70-80°C), but you can still achieve a comfortable, more efficient output from your radiators at a lower input (60-73°C). You’re highly unlikely to notice the change yet it can make a considerable difference on bills. Every year check if radiators need to be bled and that the valves are working properly by checking for cold spots on the radiator. Pipe work often gets neglected too so look out for any leaks or restrictions.”
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