In 2022, the average heating bill is expected to rise by £694. That’s a lot of money! However, there are ways that you can save money on your heating bills and keep your home warm during the winter. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways that you can reduce your heating costs this winter.

1. Boiler replacement or maintenance

If you’re paying too much for heating, the best thing to do is replace your boiler. Replacing your boiler may save you up to £365 a year on heating costs. This is a significant money-saver and might take as little as three years to pay back what you paid for the boiler installation.

If a boiler replacement isn’t in your budget, you can also save money on your heating bills by ensuring that your boiler is well maintained. Heateam service plans start at as little as £9.50 per month, but it can help to reduce your energy usage by up to 15%.

Don’t wait until it’s the middle of winter, select your service plan today. Be prepared.

2. Smart thermostats

Get a Smart Thermostat: A smart thermostat can help you save money on your heating bill by automatically adjusting the temperature in your home based on your schedule and preferences. Smart thermostats are available for both homes with central heating and homes with individual room heaters.

With a Wifi link to get the local weather, your thermostat can adjust your heating schedule on the fly to save you money.

3. Insulate your hot water tank

Insulating your hot water tank saves energy by keeping the water hotter for longer. This means that you won’t have to use as much energy to heat your water, which will save you money on your heating bill.

Insulate your pipes too! Insulating your pipes helps to keep the heat in, which reduces the amount of energy needed to heat your home.

4. Replace costly electric heaters

Electric heaters are one of the most costly forms of heating, according to the Energy Saving Trust. With a full set of thermostatic radiator valves, a room thermostat and a timer, the cheapest way to heat your home is with an efficient gas central heating system.

5. Save on heating bills with a grant

You may be entitled to help with your heating expenses thanks to one of several government schemes:

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount can save eligible energy customers £140 a year on their electricity bills. Great news if you have an electric heating system. Find out if you can apply.

Work from Home Tax Relief

If you are required to work from home then you can apply for Working From Home Tax Relief. This is a government program that allows you to claim tax relief of £6 a week for the entire tax year. That works out at £1.20 each week for basic 20% tax rate.

Regular boiler maintenance saves you money by keeping your boiler in good working order, limiting potential repairs and breakdowns. This regular service will help to ensure that you are able to use your heating system during the cold weather months when it is most needed.

Why does a boiler need regular maintenance?

A boiler requires regular service and maintenance to ensure that it is in good working order. A boiler will undergo a lot of stress during its lifetime: it will be constantly heating water and maintaining rooms at different temperatures, all with the risk of pressure and temperature fluctuations. All this takes its toll on a boiler; gradually wearing away seals and gaskets over time.

Increase the life of the central heating boiler

As well as helping to avoid potentially expensive future repairs, regular maintenance may also increase the boiler lifespan. A properly maintained boiler will require less work during its lifetime and so last longer.

How often should a boiler be serviced?

The frequency of service varies depending on the type of system you have, but we recommend servicing your boiler every year.

Which parts of the system need to be serviced?

The major components that should be inspected and serviced regularly include:

Water pan and gauze filters – these need cleaning regularly to prevent limescale build up which can damage the boiler
Pressure gauge – this should be checked regularly for signs of wear or corrosion which could lead to the boiler’s safety features being triggered
Boiler pump – if fitted, check that it is working correctly each time you are serviced
Gas flame sensors – remove grills and inspect for signs of contamination, corrosion or damage
Combustion chamber – look out for any signs of fuel leakage which could lead to a fire risk

A well-maintained boiler is more efficient

With the recent rise in energy cost, having an efficient heating system is more important now than ever before. Unfortunately, a poorly maintained boiler can be less efficient leading to unnecessary costs (see our 5 tips to save money on your energy bill).

Boiler maintenance keeps it clean and ready for use.

A dirty or neglected boiler is not only inefficient but could also pose a serious safety risk. Build up of dirt, debris and bacteria in your system can cause blockages leading to poor water flow through the central heating system. This could be the cause of a number of issues, such as low water pressure or no hot water. Impaired water flow can also increase your energy bill as the system has to work harder to heat your home, leading to greater fuel costs.

Reduce the chance of reactive maintenance

One main reason for reactive maintenance is the poor servicing of a boiler. If you choose to service your appliance by yourself, make sure that you are following the manufacturer’s instructions. Many people forget about annual servicing which can reduce the life expectancy of their boiler. They start to notice problems when it is too late and they have to pay for emergency boiler repairs.

If you are having boiler servicing with us, we will look at your whole heating system, not just your boiler. By looking at the gas pressure throughout the system, something that is notoriously difficult to test by yourself, we can help to avoid reactive maintenance in the future.

Boiler maintenance is an annual cost that pays for itself by helping to avoid breakdowns and costly emergency repairs. If you would like more information on the benefits of regular boiler servicing or any other parts of your heating system, contact Heateam today or signup online for our monthly heating service plan.

Category: Energy Saving Tips

5 Ways to Save Money on Heating Bills in 2022