With winter looming ahead, many of us are starting to worry about sky-high heating bills. Even if you’re lucky enough to enjoy reductions during summer, everything changes when the weather does.
Luckily, high heating bills are often more to do with mistakes around the home than actual energy use. If you’re fed up of paying over the odds, then, ask yourself whether you’re making any of the following five fatal mistakes.
1: Draughty old windows
It’s incredible how much heat you can lose through old draughty windows. Endless households suffer this way, yet it’s an entirely avoidable issue. Replacing old windows with new frames and double glazed panes can make unwanted draughts and cold glass a thing of your past. As simple as that, you can retain higher levels of heat and reduced bills as a result.
2: A conservatory that lets all the heat out
While they’re fantastic heat traps in the summer, even fully glazed conservatories can sap heat like little else once winter rolls around. If you have a conservatory that does just this, it’s worth looking into a tiled conservatory roof like those offered by Renaissance Conservatories. These can be fitted onto your existing conservatory and can slash heating bills considerably.
3: Lacking insulation
Despite smart thermostats and modern boilers, insulation is still one of the best ways to keep heat in your home. An insulated attic is vital if you want to reduce heating bills, and it’s a standard feature in the majority of homes. If you don’t have attic insulation or you need to replace what’s there, though, your heating bills will soon go through the roof (literally). That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to call a professional who can fit this for you before the weather changes.
4: Chimney trouble
Lighting a fire on a cold night is a fantastic way to keep warm, but your chimney may also be responsible for those high heating bills. This is because chimneys, like old windows, can be prime draught territory. One way around this would be to fit draught excluders. If you don’t often use your fireplace, this may even be a cause for blocking it up to reduce draughts altogether. This, even more than a fire, could cut your heating expenses.
5: The wrong energy supplier
It may even be that your high energy bills are simply a result of failing to switch suppliers. The majority of us sign up for the company our homes are already registered with, but this can be fatal. In reality, heating costs vary a great deal across providers, with some even offering bulk electricity and heating packages for less. If all the above still doesn’t bring your heating bills down enough for your liking, compare providers, and consider switching to someone cheaper.
High heating bills needn’t be your reality any longer. All you need to do is consider why they’re so high right now, and what you can do to bring them back down.
Looking to going away for Christmas? Have a look at our best Christmas getaways.
