Making your heating system more efficient Rising energy prices, providers going bust, climate agreements at COP26 - the world’s energy consumption has been making headlines in a big way this year. There’s no doubt that it has got many of us thinking about how we can make our own individual changes that will not only make an impact on our environmental footprint but also our purse strings. Our homes may be heated by a variety of different heating systems, powered by a range of fuel sources, but there are a number of common steps we can take to improve their efficiency.
Have the boiler serviced annually
Upgrade the controls Controls allow you to heat your home when it is occupied and only the parts of your house that are in use. New ‘smart’ controls enable you to adjust it via a mobile app. These systems can also actively monitor your home for movement, going into a lower temperature ‘sleep’ mode if it considers the property to be empty, or that the occupants are asleep in bed. Many also gain information from outside temperatures and weather forecasts, adjusting the heating accordingly.
Insulate your home
Regular maintenance ensures boilers work at their peak efficiency and should ensure they run effectively and safely for the year to come. It also helps extend the boiler’s life, reducing the risk of an expensive breakdown.
Adequately insulating your attic is essential, otherwise, your home will lose around a quarter of its heat through the roof space. Blocking up gaps around windows, doors and chimneys will also help save on energy bills and keep your home warm.
Replace an old boiler
Heat wisely
Although initially costly, if your boiler is reaching the end of its working life, replacing it with a more efficient model can save money on your heating bills in the long term. Modern boilers are highly efficient, and with the introduction of Boiler Plus building regulation, are becoming even more so.
It makes sense to turn the radiators down in rooms you are not using to save energy. If you want to heat only a couple of rooms in your home, it is far cheaper and safer to invest in thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) and use your central heating system.
