With the big freeze upon us, staying warm and keeping energy bills under control is more important than ever. Redrose brings you practical tips to help you reduce your energy usage and save money while staying cosy this winter. From smart investments to simple lifestyle changes, here’s how to keep costs down in the UK.
8 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bills as the Big Freeze Hits
- Reduce Boiler Flow Temperature
Most boilers are set to a default flow temperature of 70-80°C, higher than necessary. Lowering the flow temperature to around 60°C can significantly improve efficiency without affecting the warmth of your home. This simple adjustment could save you up to 8% on your annual heating bill.
If you’re unsure how to adjust your boiler, check the manual or contact a professional for assistance. Redrose can help you with our maintenance team. Contact us.
- Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to heat your home more efficiently by tailoring your heating schedule to your lifestyle. Setting your thermostat to 18-20°C during the day and lowering it by 1-2°C overnight can make a noticeable difference in your bills.
- Invest in Energy-Saving Gadgets
Investing in energy-saving gadgets can reduce your energy consumption and lower your bills in the long term. Some effective options include:
- LED Light Bulbs: Use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last much longer.
- Radiator Reflectors: Prevent heat from escaping through walls, directing it back into your room.
- Smart Plugs and Energy Monitors: Track and control your energy usage in real-time to identify savings.
- Draught-Proofing Kits: Seal gaps around windows and doors to prevent heat loss.
While these gadgets require an upfront cost, their savings over time make them a worthwhile investment.
- Layer Up and Use a Heated Blanket
Invest in cosy layers, thermal clothing, and a heated blanket. Heated blankets cost only a few pence an hour to run, far less than heating an entire room. They’re perfect for staying snug while reducing your reliance on central heating. Make sure the blankets are safe and new.
- Stop Draughts
A draughty home wastes heat. Seal gaps around doors, windows, and skirting boards with draught excluders or adhesive strips. Adding thick curtains or thermal linings can also help retain warmth.
- Bleed Your Radiators
Cold spots on your radiators mean they’re not heating efficiently. Bleeding them releases trapped air, ensuring you get the most heat from your system. It’s a quick job requiring only a radiator key and can save money by improving efficiency.
- Use Appliances Efficiently
Small changes to how you use appliances can save a surprising amount of energy:
- Wash clothes at 30°C instead of higher temperatures.
- Avoid using a tumble dryer; air-dry clothes where possible.
- Only boil the water you need in the kettle.
Smart plugs and monitors can help you track and reduce unnecessary energy usage.
- Check Your Tariff and Supplier
Energy prices are high, but you might still find a cheaper deal or better support by contacting your supplier.
Stay Warm Without Breaking the Bank – 8 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bills as the Big Freeze Hits
The big freeze doesn’t have to mean big bills. By making smart investments, improving your home’s energy efficiency, and adopting small lifestyle changes, you can stay warm and save money this winter.
A really good resource is Age UK see their advice – Keeping warm and well in winter
Also read our blog 10 Essential Tips for Landlords and Tenants: Preparing Your Boiler for Winter to Avoid Deposit Issues
Need more advice or thinking about selling your home? Contact us at Redrose Estate Agent—we’re here to help you every step of the way. Here’s to a year of fresh opportunities and happy beginnings!
Click here to contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your property goals. At Redrose, your journey to finding the perfect home starts here.
Click here for Free Instant Rental or Selling Valuation
If you are thinking of renting out a property click here to see our comprehensive landlord services
Redrose Estate Agents – Find out all about us here https://redrose.co.uk/about-us/
- Call us on 📞01772 456558
- Email 📧sales@redrose.co.uk
- Call into our office at 15 Barnes Wallis Way, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, PR7 7JA
- Find out more https://redrose.co.uk/
- Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/redrosebuckshaw/
- Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/redrose.co.uk
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When was the last time you checked your heating system or thought about whether your boiler is running efficiently? With over 50% of the UK’s energy consumption going towards heating water and spaces in our homes, ensuring that your boiler and heating system are ready for winter should be a top priority—especially for landlords.
The cost-of-living crisis means higher energy bills for everyone, whether you’re a homeowner or a landlord renting out a property. For tenants, keeping heating on low while ventilating to prevent damp and condensation is more challenging with rising fuel costs. Thinking ahead and preparing for these challenges can save landlords and tenants both money and trouble.
Here, we’ve compiled 10 essential tips to help prepare to stay warm this winter without risking damage to the property or disputes over deposits. Redrose maintenance team can help with all the below just contact us.
Preparing Your Property’s Boiler and Heating System for Winter
- Schedule a Gas Safety Check – A yearly gas safety check is a legal requirement for all rental properties. Make sure this is up to date to ensure safety and compliance.
- Service the Boiler – While not legally required, an annual boiler service can ensure it’s running efficiently and prevent breakdowns during the colder months. It’s worth the investment to avoid costly emergency repairs later.
- Inspect Radiators – Ask your plumber to check that radiators are working properly. Bleed any radiators that aren’t heating up evenly and consider flushing the system if there’s a buildup of sludge.
- Consider Thermostatic Radiator Valves – If your radiators don’t have thermostatic valves, consider installing them. They allow tenants to control the temperature in individual rooms, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
- Evaluate the Boiler’s Age and Efficiency – If the boiler is old and inefficient, replacing it might be worth considering. Although costly upfront, a new boiler can save money in the long term and reduce maintenance headaches.
Tenant Tips for Minimising Fuel Costs Over Winter
- Maintain the Boiler Thermostat Settings – Advise tenants to keep the boiler’s thermostat at the recommended temperature set by the plumber for maximum efficiency.
- Adjust Room Thermostats – Suggest turning the room thermostat down by 1°C. This small change could cut heating bills by up to 10%.
- Use Natural Sunlight – Encourage tenants to keep curtains open during the day to let sunlight warm the house and close them once it’s dark to retain the heat.
- Layer Up – Recommend using throws or extra clothing layers while sitting to stay warm without needing to turn up the heating.
- Avoid Blocking Radiators – Advise tenants to keep large furniture and items away from radiators to allow heat to circulate effectively throughout the room.
By following these tips, landlords can reduce the likelihood of costly repairs and disputes at the end of a tenancy, while tenants can keep their homes warm and energy bills manageable. Preparing ahead for winter ensures a comfortable season for everyone involved. Redrose maintenance team can help with all the above just contact us.
Also read our blog 10 Powerful Ways to Slash Your Winter Energy Bills: Expert Tips from Redrose Estate Agents
Click here to contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your property goals. At Redrose, your journey to finding the perfect home starts here.
Click here for Free Instant Rental or Selling Valuation
If you are thinking of renting out a property click here to see our comprehensive landlord services
Redrose Estate Agents – Find out all about us here https://redrose.co.uk/about-us/
- Call us on 📞01772 456558
- Email 📧sales@redrose.co.uk
- Call into our office at 15 Barnes Wallis Way, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, PR7 7JA
- Find out more https://redrose.co.uk/
- Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/redrosebuckshaw/
- Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/redrose.co.uk
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10 Essential Tips for Landlords and Tenants: Preparing Your Boiler for Winter to Avoid Deposit Issue
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As the weather turns colder and we begin to rely more heavily on our heating systems, it’s natural to be concerned about the rising costs of energy. With the energy price cap set to rise by 10% from 1st October 2024, many of us could see our winter bills increase. Ofgem estimates this could add an extra £149 to the average energy bill, although the exact figure will vary depending on your home’s EPC rating and size.
At Redrose Estate Agents, we know that managing energy costs is a key consideration for many homeowners, especially as the colder months approach. To help you reduce your energy bills this winter, we’ve compiled a list of practical, easy-to-implement energy-saving tips that could collectively save you hundreds of pounds a year.
- Fixing Draughts – 10 Powerful Ways to Slash Your Winter Energy Bills: Expert Tips from Redrose Estate Agents
Estimated savings: £40 per year
Draught-proofing your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce your heating bills. Cold air coming in through gaps in windows, doors, or even chimneys can cause your heating system to work harder than necessary. To prevent heat from escaping, seal draughts around your windows and doors with foam strips or a draught excluder at the base of your doors. If you have an unused fireplace, consider investing in a chimney draught excluder.
Tip: Don’t block vents or obstruct air circulation in areas that need good ventilation, like bathrooms and kitchens.
- Lower Your Thermostat
Estimated savings: £90 per year
Setting your thermostat too high is a common mistake that leads to unnecessary heating costs. The higher your thermostat, the longer your heating system needs to work to maintain that temperature. Try lowering your thermostat by just one degree – for example, from 22°C to 21°C – and you could save up to £90 annually. If you’re feeling adventurous, setting it to 18°C instead of 21°C could save you £260!
Tip: Layer up with extra clothing and blankets if you find the lower temperature more comfortable.
- Adjust Your Boiler Flow Temperature
Estimated savings: £30 per year
If you have a gas boiler, the temperature at which your boiler heats water for your radiators can impact your energy use. If it’s set too high, you’ll be using more energy than necessary. Try lowering the flow temperature, but ensure it remains comfortable for your home.
For those with a conventional boiler and hot water cylinder, remember that the flow temperature must remain above 65°C to prevent bacterial growth.
- Insulate Pipes and Water Tanks
Estimated savings: £45 per year
Exposed pipes and hot water tanks can lose a lot of heat, which makes your boiler work harder to keep the water at the desired temperature. Insulating pipes and adding a water tank jacket can significantly reduce heat loss, helping you save on heating costs. It’s an easy and affordable improvement that can have long-term benefits.
Tip: Foam insulation, rubber sleeves, and foil tape are all cost-effective options for insulating your pipes.
- Wash Clothes at Lower Temperatures
Estimated savings: £12 per year
Washing your clothes at lower temperatures not only helps your clothing last longer but can also save you money. Modern detergents are designed to work well even at cooler temperatures. Switching from a 40°C to a 30°C wash can save you around £12 per year.
- Turn Off Appliances on Standby
Estimated savings: £45 per year
Leaving devices like TVs, chargers, and kitchen appliances on standby may seem insignificant, but it adds up over time. Switch off appliances when not in use or use a power strip to make turning everything off easier.
- Close Curtains at Night
Estimated savings: £20 per year
Closing your curtains as the evening sets in can help trap heat inside your home and prevent cold drafts from sneaking in through windows. This small action can save you over £20 annually, as well as reduce your carbon footprint. Just remember to keep curtains clear of radiators to ensure heat is distributed effectively.
- Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Estimated savings: £40 per year
Lighting accounts for a significant portion of your energy bill. If you’re still using halogen lightbulbs, you could be spending £40 more annually than if you upgraded to LED lights. LED bulbs use far less energy and have a longer lifespan, making them a great investment for reducing energy costs.
- Check Energy Labels When Buying Appliances
Estimated savings: Up to £65 per year
When purchasing new appliances, always check the energy rating. Appliances with higher ratings (A, A+, A++) are more efficient and cost less to run. For example, upgrading from an E-rated freezer to a D-rated model could save you £30 a year. Likewise, opting for an A+++ tumble dryer can save you £65 compared to a lower-rated model.
- Install a Smart Meter
Estimated savings: £40 per year
A smart meter can help you monitor your energy usage in real-time, making it easier to identify where you could cut back. While the smart meter itself doesn’t reduce energy consumption, it provides detailed insights into when and how much energy you’re using, which can encourage you to adopt more energy-efficient habits.
In Summary: Small Changes, Big Savings – 10 Powerful Ways to Slash Your Winter Energy Bills: Expert Tips from Redrose Estate Agents
By making just a few of these simple adjustments, you could save hundreds of pounds on your winter energy bills. These tips not only help your wallet but also contribute to a more sustainable, eco-friendly home.
At Redrose Estate Agents, we’re committed to helping our clients find homes that are both comfortable and cost-effective to run. Whether you’re buying or renting, we can offer advice on how to make your property more energy-efficient.
As the days grow colder, it’s the perfect time to take action and ensure your home is running as efficiently as possible.
Savings estimates based on a typical three-bedroom, semi-detached home using average energy prices.
Also read our blog – The Impact of Energy Efficiency Ratings on Property Value
If you’re thinking of selling your property and want to ensure it stands out in the market, get in touch with Redrose Estate Agents today. We’re here to help you every step of the way!
Click here to contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your property goals. At Redrose, your journey to finding the perfect home starts here.
Click here for Free Instant Rental or Selling Valuation
If you are thinking of renting out a property click here to see our comprehensive landlord services
Redrose Estate Agents – Find out all about us here https://redrose.co.uk/about-us/
- Call us on 📞01772 456558
- Email 📧sales@redrose.co.uk
- Call into our office at 15 Barnes Wallis Way, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, PR7 7JA
- Find out more https://redrose.co.uk/
- Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/redrosebuckshaw/
- Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/redrose.co.uk
Copyright Redrose Estate Agents –10 Powerful Ways to Slash Your Winter Energy Bills: Expert Tips from Redrose Estate Agents
10 Powerful Ways to Slash Your Winter Energy Bills: Expert Tips from Redrose Estate Agents
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