It is generally accepted that we should cut our energy use to be kind to the planet. Ever rising gas costs make it essential to get the most out of your heating boiler and gas heating system. The typical UK house spends about 50% of it’s gas costs on gas heating system energy use. Here’s a few easy to action advice to help you get lower gas expenses.
Only use the gas boilers heat when and where you need it :
Heating radiators are made to be switched on and off. Have a look at whether there are any rooms in your home which are not being used and switch off the metal radiator there. There are no setbacks in not heating rooms which are not used, but there is an advantage in reducing the energy costs to heat your home. If you keep the entrance door shut to the room it will stop the flow of chilly air around your home.
Use the gas boiler to heat your home rather than other appliances :
If the room needs to be warmer use thermostatically controlled radiator valves and increase the temperature setting. A lot of the heat generated by a fire goes up in the chimney to the outside, the central heating is much more cost-efficient for heating than an electric fire.
Cut down on drafts by use of insulation
If you allow chilled drafts to come into your home then you need to pay for more gas to heat this air. DIY stores stock many insulation materials for use for this. Use a foam based sealant to close off any cracks between your door frame and the window frames where these meet the exterior wall. These type of cracks happen often in older homes as the foundations settle. drafts can be hunted down by using a candle flame and checking when it flickers as you move around the room taking care not to spill any hot wax.
Put on a jumper and warmer clothes :
Putting on additional clothes or just being active for a while will mean that you get hotter without switching up the heating thermostat. Maintaining a 1 degree decrease on the thermostat can save up to tenpercent on your heating charges.
Make good use of your curtains :
In the winter make sure that the drapes are open when the sun is shining to heat your home. At night as the external temperatures drop a lot of heat can leach out through your windowpanes. This heat loss can be decreased if you close the curtains, if you adopt this tactic over many months you can save large amounts on your heating costs. See To It you have thick or lined curtains to make them effective at preventing heat loss.
General guidance for the rest of the home :
You must insulate your gas boiler hot water cylinder if you have one. The hot water tank will hold hot water you have paid for and it is madness to allow this to cool down unused throughout the daytime.
Don’t heat the walls of your house immediately behind the radiators, silver foil can be used to reflect the heat cutting this energy loss.
