How to save money on heating (by a qualified gas engineer)
We’re not exactly short of gas engineers at Invictus Energy Group, in fact, we have some of the best who are keen to tell you how to save money on heating.
One of our most experienced is Martin, who gets asked how to save money on heating on almost every call out to a service or new boiler install.
He’s kindly poured years of experience and knowledge into this handy list of energy (and money) saving tips to help run your home heating system more efficiently and make a dent in your energy bills.
Boiler Temperature Settings
Most modern combi boilers (and some older models) will give you an easy opportunity to save money on your heating, by giving you direct control over what temperature the water from your taps and showers come out at.
Many people have their water temperature set to about 60-plus degrees, filling their washing up bowls and baths with scalding hot water that they then cool down with a lot of cold water. They’ve effectively paid to heat the water up beyond a useable temperature, only to then use more water cooling it down again.
“Setting your boiler’s water temperature control to a useable figure means you should get your bath heated to the right temperature so you can just jump in, rather than cooling it down again with cold water”
Warming Up and Cooling Off Times
When your boiler first gets switched on in the morning, it can take a little time for your home to get warm (warming up time). Likewise, at night the radiators need a little time to cool down.
“What most people do is overestimate the time it takes for an efficient heating system to fire up, so they set the boiler to heat up an hour before they are due to get out of bed. Really, they can probably get away with 10 to 15 minutes. Over the course of a year, that time really adds up.”
At the end of the evening, boilers can often be switched off or to their low setting around 30 minutes before bed time without effecting comfort.
Honest Temperature
What temperature do you have your room thermostats set to? ‘Room temperature’ is usually agreed to be 21 degrees, however in the depths of a British Winter this can be an expensive temperature target.
“If it’s minus 5 outside and everyone is sitting there in shorts and a t-shirt, then it might be worth experimenting with reducing the thermostat, degree by degree. Most people will find that with a jumper or a hoodie, they won’t notice the couple of degrees shift but will certainly notice it on their gas bill”
Central Heating and Lifestyle
Depending on your lifestyle, you may be able to program your thermostats in a way that reduces waste to save you money on your heating. If you’re going out, remembering to switch it off or lower the thermostat to a level where it can snap back to where you need it quickly.
“Don’t pay a small fortune to heat an empty house as if you were there”
Gas meters
On most energy tariffs, fuel is cheaper on a credit meter than it is on a pre-payment meter.
“Some people like pre-payment meters because it helps them to budget, however you do pay a small premium for the privilege.”
Wildcard: Should I turn my boiler off at night?
A more controversial heating question is whether to turn your boiler off completely at night and allow the house to potentially go stone cold, or to reduce the temperature.
“There’s some confusion online as to what is best, and this one really comes down to how well the house is insulated, and who is living in it.”
If you have infant children or an elderly person in your household, allowing the temperature to dip so far might not be an option. It could also be that pipes could freeze, causing leaks and a costly repair bill, although this is rare in modern homes.
There is also the cost of heating up the home from zero, meaning that the boiler is potentially on for hours.
The final word on how to save money on heating your home
Martin’s the man when it comes to boiler efficiency too. Boilers are rated from ‘A’ highly efficient to ‘G’ (very poor), and this will also effect your heating bill as more gas passes through the boiler to achieve the same temperature as a more efficient boiler.
Getting your boiler serviced annually might cost you as little as £70 but could save a huge amount in the long-run, as well as extending the serviceable life of your boiler.
It’s worth noting the huge role that home insulation plays with your gas bill. Better insulated homes stay warmer for longer, meaning that the boiler doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain your desired temperature. More insulation, less gas usage = cheaper bills.
