Thermostat
Get organised. Do an energy audit of your house, checking where the drafts are coming in. Prime suspects are under doors, window frames and fireplaces and you can use a candle or incense stick to help you spot the worst areas. Then, using simple materials from your local DIY shop such as caulk, weather stripping and door sweeps, plug those leaks.
Book a service. Boilers and other heating equipment work best when they are in tip-top condition. Dirty filters, for example, will reduce their efficiency substantially. If you haven’t touched them for a while, now is a good time to book a service. Similarly, fix any dripping taps. In just one week, a leaky hot water tap can expel enough water to fill up a bath.
Control your thermostat. Most people already know that turning down a thermostat just one degree will save money, but often when it gets cold it is easy advice to ignore. Just remind yourself that turning it up will not heat a room any more quickly and will only put a strain on your heating system. Oh, and each degree lower on the thermostat saves around 10% on your heating bill.
Don’t heat empty rooms. If possible, turn down the radiators in rooms you don’t use, such as guest bedrooms, and close the door. There is no use heating spaces you are not using every day.
Don’t hang around in the shower. It is tempting on a chilly morning to spend some extra time in a steaming hot shower to warm up. Don’t. Cutting your shower time in half can save up to 33 per cent on hot water heating costs.
Switch off fans. Try to cut down on the use of ventilation fans in bathrooms and on cooker hoods – they can suck all the heated air out of the house in a matter of hours.
Be curtain-clever. On the odd sunny day, open the curtains and blinds on any sunny, south facing, windows and then close them as soon as the sun sets in order to retain the benefit of any solar heat. Also, make sure you close the curtains at dusk to stop valuable heat escaping through the windows.
Keep heaters clear. Keep large items of furniture away from radiators because they will block the heat, stopping it getting into the room.
Dress for success. Put on an extra layer – it has always worked just fine for previous generations.
Written by Teena Lyons, this article was first published on September 28, 2010. Teena's opinions are her own and for general information only. Always seek independent, professional, financial advice.
Take advantage of Winter Fuel Payment - if you are aged 60 and over, find out if you qualify for Winter Fuel Payment before the weather really turns, says money writer Laura Howard. Depending on your exact age and situation, you could receive between £125 and £400 off your bills. The claim form for winter 2010/2011 is now available online - click here. Alternatively, call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 951 515.