This year we witnessed one of the warmest summers in recorded history, but September has brought an end to that with the return of shivering nights and frosty mornings. The recent drop in temperature has probably got you questioning whether or not to turn on the central heating, but in doing so you know your monthly bills will instantly increase.
With national price hikes of both gas and electricity there seems no escaping the increases and you’ve probably already felt the impact on your expenses.
So how can you counter this rise?
First and foremost you should look to your boiler. Boilers are responsible for between 55% and 60% of your overall energy bill, providing your space heating and hot water.
Replacing an inefficient boiler is a great place to start in reducing bills, as inefficient systems can be operating at just 70%. Boilers are given a rating based on inefficiency and replacing a G-rated boiler (the lowest rated) can save you £310 annually according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Even by switching your D-rated boiler for an A-rated replacement, you will save up to £105 each year.
And as energy prices continue to rise in the future, this saving will become even greater. By combining a replacement boiler with added home insulation such as loft lagging or wall cavity filling, you can potentially save even more.
Did you know that turning your thermostat down by a single degree could save you £65 annually too? This can be done without feeling an effect in your home’s temperature. Become more energy efficient with a replacement boiler and be more conservative with the heat you’re producing. You’ll save hundreds of pounds each year and reduce the risk of a boiler breakdown as well.