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Energy-saving tips to reduce your household energy bills




Citizens Advice East Herts’ communications and fundraising manager Esther McWatters writes for the Indie

The weather is getting colder and the cost of heating our homes is rising.

Here are some tips on how to make efficient use of your heating system.

Check your radiators

Bleed your radiators as cold spots caused by trapped air could mean your radiators aren’t giving out as much heat as they should.

On thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), the numbers normally correspond to a specific room temperature. For example, on a scale of 0-5, 5 is typically 30°C. On a 0-5 scale, 4 is usually okay for rooms that need to keep warm and 2 or 3 is okay for rooms that don’t need to be as warm.

Check your boiler’s flow temperature

The flow temperature is the temperature of the water your boiler sends to your radiators and hot water cylinder (if you have one). Turning your boiler’s flow temperature down can reduce your heating bill by as much as 9%, according to some claims. This is set on the boiler itself - you can check your user manual to find out how to change this.

If you have a combi boiler, you could turn it down to 60°C in cold weather. In mild weather you might be able to turn it down as low as 50°C.

If you have a boiler with a hot water cylinder, you can turn it down to 65°C. Don’t set it any lower otherwise the boiler won’t be able to heat your hot water cylinder to a safe temperature.

After reducing the flow temperature, your boiler will take longer to heat your home and your hot water (if you have a cylinder). You should set your boiler to come on earlier to give it more time to work.

Keep your heating set at the lowest comfortable temperature

This is typically between 18 and 21 degrees. Setting a higher temperature on your room thermostat doesn’t make your property warm up any faster, but it could waste energy.

Set your heating to come on earlier so that it has longer to work; this uses less energy than turning up the thermostat.

Don’t rely on portable electric heaters

Portable heaters are best for short-term use, not as a replacement for your whole heating system. If you want to heat a single room, it’s usually cheaper to use your central heating and adjust the thermostat and TRVs.

If you receive means-tested benefits you may be getting Cold Weather Payments. You’ll get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. If you think you should have got Cold Weather Payments but haven’t, you can contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus.

If you need advice, the quickest way is to call our message line on 01920 459944, Monday to Thursday, or visit www.citizensadviceeastherts.org.uk for our advice options.

If you don’t have a phone or email or need extra support, the Citizens Advice Contact Centre is at Bishop’s Stortford Methodist Church, in South Street, every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm.



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