Cost Saving Tips to Heat Your Home this Winter

At JJS Gas & Heating, we're often asked by our customers for ways they can make their heating systems perform in a more cost effective and energy efficient way. Whilst unfortunately we can't avoid the fact that utility rates are on the rise, we can provide some helpful considerations and adaptations that may save you money without forfeiting on comfort.

Reduce Shower Time 

As much as some of us may love a long, hot shower, the time we spend showering can have a significant impact on overall bills. Taking shorter showers can not only help to reduce your water bill, but also your gas and electric too!

Check Your Radiator Temperature

What is your radiator temperature set to? Some boilers can heat up to 75/80 degrees C flow temperature, but lowering this will not actually affect how hot your home gets. We recommend you set your flow temperature to a maximum 60 degrees C. Over the course of a 12 month period or a 6 month autumn and winter stretch, you could save a considerable amount of money. 

How Old Are Your Radiators?

Do you know how old your current radiators are? Where are they from? Do you know the BTU ( British Thermal Unit ) heat output? These factors can all have a big impact on the efficiency and heat output of your radiators. If you do have old or poor quality radiators in your home, simply switching to a new standard radiator could give out a greater heat output even at a lower temperature!

Chemical / Power-Flush

Over time, radiators can become blocked and clogged with iron oxides that build up as a sludge. This build-up can limit the performance of your radiators. We recommend speaking to a competent heating engineer for more advice regarding flushing your heating system- even if your system has a filter. 

Temperature Control

It is imperative your heating system is controlled by at least a digital thermostat. Ideally it should be programmable and / or with Smart Control for a higher efficiency rating. Adding a smart thermostat to your system could increase its efficiency by 7-8 % or greater. 

Turning your thermostat down by one degree alone could save you money over a year.  We recommend setting the temperature in your home within a range of 18-21 degrees C.

Manage Heatloss 

Have you checked areas of your home where you have drafts ? Drafts can be caused by inadequate insulation, poorly fitted or open windows, open chimneys and open doors. We recommend that alongside insulating your home, you insulate your pipework too.

Constant Heat or Timed?

Let's tackle that famous debate about whether leaving your heating on at a constant temperature or setting it to a timer is better. Nowadays with a modern or traditional system, usually you can heat your home fairly quickly so the concept of it taking a long time to heat a space isn't so applicable now. The main thing is to keep in mind that all the while your thermostat is calling for heat, the boiler will be burning energy. With the latest thermostats and smart controls, your boiler will only work to heat your home as and when required to maintain the chosen temperature, so the idea of it being on constantly isn't really accurate. Albeit, we recommend finding a comfortable temperature to heat your home to, such as 18 degrees and the boiler will have to work less to keep it at the desired temperature. Alternatively, use a timed approached at your desired temperature for an hour in the morning and again at night. 

When it comes to thermostats, please bear in mind a room thermostat is not only designed to heat your space or control to the degree, it also works to ensure you do not over heat or over use energy . For example your home could be 16 degrees - your desired temperature is 18 degrees therefore, you only require a 2 degree increase. This could take 30 minutes, so in a timed circumstance, setting your boiler to be on for an hour would be less efficient. However, if you have an air source heat pump rather than a gas boiler, you will be using a much lower radiator temperature of 30/40 degrees C, therefore your heating will be on for longer periods. This type of system works completely differently to a gas boiler system. 

Boiler Age

If your boiler is over 12 years old it may be worth  speaking to a professional or competent engineer / heating company for the best advice. If your boiler is old and potentially functioning between 60-80 percent efficiency, this system could be costing you more to run over a year! You could save £200-£600 or more by updating your system to a smart controlled, A-rated condensing boiler or heat pump. 

What is really important to know is gas boilers are rising in price. Prices increased by £200-£300 in 2023 and as at January 2024, we have seen costs climb again by another £100-£150 on average. This is due to demand from the government for a greener economy. Alongside this, we expect the grants to switch to air source heat pump to decrease while gas boiler prices continue to increase. 

Over the next 3 years, manufacturers will be charged per boiler sold or not sold based on government updates. Therefore, we expect price increases imminently. Our advice would be that if you are thinking of updating your system, now is the time to do it. 

Boiler Servicing

For safety reasons and boiler performance alone, it is crucial you get your boiler serviced every 12 months. Even during a basic service of modern day boilers, a basic test can cover gas boiler working pressures, appliance gas rates and flue gas analysis. This can indicate whether your boiler is performing, under performing or over performing. As part of a service, cleaning the filters, condense traps and electrodes / burner can prevent future breakdowns. Boiler repairs unfortunately are not cheap. Deep clean services are recommended every 3-5 years. 

Water Temperature

We recommend reducing your water temperature (whether using a cylinder system or a combi boiler) to 50-55 degrees C . Please be aware of any legionnaire risks below 48 degrees C. As a side note- if you are using a cylinder, considering adding a cylinder jacket. This easy-to-fit added insulation can be brought at a reasonable price and installed by yourself!

Smart Controls

Research smart controls - preferably your own boiler branded. For example, with Vaillant, that would be a My Connect or V Smart Control. This will modulate and control the boiler more effectively than any other smart control, however, Nest, Hive and Tado are all highly rated smart controls for heating systems. They calculate when to turn the heating off and on again, self controlled. They can even learn your routines, speak to weather stations via the web, turn off the heating when your are more than a mile radius from your home or even when a window is open! Please do your own research and speak to a professional. Do not attempt to install these yourself. 

! EXISTING CUSTOMERS: 

IF YOU'VE HAD A BOILER INSTALLED BY JJS PLEASE DO GET IN TOUCH AS WE HAVE SOME EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AVAILABLE THAT WE'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU. 

FREE GIVE AWAY WORTH £500!

Thank you for reading, please like and share this post for a chance to win a fantastic package. On 31st January we will select someone who has shared this post and they will receive a FREE:

* System check with professional advice 
* Boiler service 
* Gas safety certificate 
* Smart heating control best designed for your system with FREE installation 
* All worth up to £500 as a thank you to our customers and supporters

If you need our help with any of the above, get in touch with us on: 07887 403276 or email info@jjsgasandheating.co.uk

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