Winter is coming! And with weather phenomena such as El Niño, this one is set to be a real doozy. With cold and stormy weather on the horizon and energy levels continuing to rise, many of us are already turning our attention to how we’re gonna keep our homes safe and warm this season – but crucially, without breaking the bank.
While for some it may seem too early to be thinking about the heating, the best offence against the cold is a good defence – and preparation really is key. A few minor changes to your boiler settings, household insulation and other tricks of the trade done now (no major DIY jobs, I promise) could save you a lot of money when the temperatures do start to drop. Not to mention they’ll keep you nice and toasty, too.
Here are the quick and easy changes you can make now to help save you money and energy before winter hits. For more tips, check out How to Heat Your Home for Less This Winter with the latest advice from the GHI.
1. Check the temperature your boiler sends to your radiators
Your boiler has a setting that controls how hot the water is before it travels around your radiators. This means there are temperature factors you can control before even touching the dial on the radiator itself. It’s separate from the room thermostat, and on some boilers it may be set higher than your home needs. Check the manual to find the radiator setting and, if you’re comfortable doing so, try lowering it a little before checking whether your home still gets warm enough. If you have a combi boiler, make sure you’re adjusting the radiator setting, not the hot water one. If you have a hot-water cylinder, don’t lower the boiler setting below 65°C as the water in the cylinder needs to reach a safe temperature.
2. Find out whether your radiators need bleeding
An all-too commonly overlooked household task is bleeding the radiators. Before you turn up the heating, switch it on and check how your radiators are warming. If one is cold at the top while the rest of it gets warm, air may be trapped inside and it may need bleeding. A cold patch at the bottom can point to a different problem, so bleeding it may not help; ask a heating engineer to take a look if this is the case. If you do bleed a radiator, make sure it’s cool first and check your boiler manual afterwards, as some systems may need their pressure topped up.
Nartel Nartel® Radiator Plumbing Bleed Bleeding Key Keys Solid Brass Vent Venting Air Valve (Pack of 2)
Nartel Nartel® Radiator Plumbing Bleed Bleeding Key Keys Solid Brass Vent Venting Air Valve (Pack of 2)
3. Add radiator panels to the walls where they’ll help
When you do come to put the heating on, you’ll want to make sure that money is being well spent, meaning you’re getting the most out of that precious precious heat. Radiator reflector panels are a great way to do this. They’re most useful behind radiators on outside walls that don’t have insulation, where heat can escape through the wall, as they reflect some of that heat back into the room. You don’t need to put them behind every radiator in the house, but they can be especially great in older houses. Use purpose-made panels rather than kitchen foil, a common hack that doesn’t really do the job as well, and follow the fitting instructions.
4. Track down the draughts around your front door
Personally, I know draughts are the main reason I feel a chill in my house during the winter months. It’s no good having the heating on if there’s a steady breeze cruising through the halls, so you’d best track them down and address them now. A draught doesn’t always come from a window: the letterbox, keyhole or gap beneath the front door can let cold air creep in too. On a windy day, check these spots for moving air using a tissue. If you find it flapping in the indoor winds, then fit a suitable letterbox brush or cover, keyhole cover, weather piping or door draught excluder where needed. Keep trickle vents and other ventilation points clear, though; blocking them can stop fresh air circulating properly.
5. Check whether your hot-water cylinder needs more insulation
If you have a hot-water cylinder, it’s easy to forget it could be quietly losing heat in the cupboard while you get on with your day. Check the insulation wrapped around it: the Energy Saving Trust recommends a jacket at least 80mm thick. If yours is thinner, you can add an 80mm British Standard jacket over it, following the fitting instructions. Think of it as giving your hot water a warmer coat: it stays hot for longer, so your system uses less energy reheating it. This job only applies if you have a cylinder; combi boilers heat water on demand so don’t have one.
6. Insulate any accessible bare hot-water pipes
Similarly, while you’re checking the cylinder, look at the pipes around it for sections without insulation, particularly in colder areas such as a loft. Pipe insulation helps reduce heat loss as hot water travels through them and can also help protect exposed pipes from freezing and causing a whole manner of disasters. Only tackle pipes that are easy to reach, and follow the insulation manufacturer’s instructions. Leave boiler components and anything you’re unsure about to a qualified engineer.
