Five summer heating tips to help households save money on energy bills
Heating experts have issued essential guidance to help households maximise potential savings on their energy bills during the warmer summer months by reducing their usage.
The advice on lowering energy costs comes as many households are struggling with their finances in the cost-of-living crisis. According to the Energy Saving Trust, simple steps such as adjusting a thermostat can save a typical household around £90 a year.
In response, OFTEC, a trade association which runs a registration scheme for heating technicians, has outlined five simple steps households can take to maximise their summer savings. The advice includes:
1. Adjust your heating timers:
You probably had your heating set to come on more often during the colder winter months. Make sure you adjust your timers for the summer, so the heating isn’t running when it isn’t needed, such as when the house is empty or when you go on holiday, which wastes energy and adds to your bills.
2. Check your radiators:
You can ensure your radiators are working as efficiently as possible by bleeding them to remove any trapped air. If your radiators are blocked by furniture or curtains, during the odd days in summer you need them on it will take the house longer to warm up. Remember to turn off radiators in rooms you are not using.
3. Manage your thermostat:
If there is a sudden cold snap, avoid the temptation to turn the thermostat up high. It won’t warm the house up any faster and will use more energy by overheating the house. Additionally, on warmer days, be mindful that open doors or windows can create a breeze that lowers the temperature around a thermostat, accidentally triggering the heating to come on. To avoid this, you can lower the temperature the thermostat is set to come on at.
4. Don’t turn the system off completely:
While it may be tempting to go further and switch everything off to save money, this can actually have the opposite effect. Leaving a boiler idle for months at a time can lead to components seizing up. You will still need hot water, so by leaving your hot water system turned on and running your heating system briefly every few weeks, this will help keep everything in good working order and prevents expensive problems when winter returns.
5. Book a professional boiler service:
Household finances are understandably very tight, but an annual service is an important investment. A qualified technician will ensure the system is running safely and efficiently, whilst identifying minor issues before they become expensive repairs. Never attempt a "DIY" fix on a boiler as this is extremely dangerous and could lead to much higher costs in the long run. For mains gas systems you should use a GasSafe registered technician, and for heating oil or solid fuel contact an OFTEC registered technician. They are qualified and trained to undertake the work safely. They can also advise on further steps you can take to save money.
Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, said: “It’s easy to forget about your heating system during the summer, but a little proactive maintenance can lead to significant savings straight away whilst helping to avoid problems when winter comes back around. As well as lowering your usage and fuel bills, this can also improve the reliability and lifetime of your system.
“In the current cost of living crisis with bills rising across the board, it’s understandably a very worrying time for many households. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take which can add up to significant savings. It’s important to stress you should not attempt to fix any problems yourself to save money. This can lead to an unsafe heating system, invalidate your warranty and cause problems if you try to sell your property and move home. Always use a qualified technician to give you peace of mind.”
For more information and to find a local OFTEC registered technician visit: www.oftec.org