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Are you tired of high heating bills? There are lots of ways to lower the cost of your heating. Here are just a few measures worth considering.
Shop around for providers
Your first step should be to consider your energy provider. It’s worth switching every couple years in order to take advantage of deals for new customers. Many providers will raise their rates after a couple years – by continuously switching you won’t have to deal with these rising rates. Switching provider can cost money, but usually the cost is worth the lower rates.
Insulate your home
Insulating your home can keep your home warm longer, preventing the need to switch on the heating as often. This could include double glazing, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and underfloor insulation. There are less costly and less permanent insulation tricks to consider too such as buying thicker curtains and using draft excluders. Those living on older homes on a low income may even be entitled to a grant allowing them to get insulation installed for free.
Layer up
A simple trick for using up less heating could be to wear warmer clothing around the house. You should also consider your bedding – buying some thicker duvets or a thermal mattress protector could reduce the need to turn on the heating at night.
Put your heating on a timer
Putting your heating on a timer could help to reduce the time that heating is left on. Consider key times when the home is cold such as the morning and late in evening. Not all heating systems come with a timer – you may be able to upgrade to one.
Get a smart meter
Smart meters allow you to see how much you’re spending on energy as you’re using it. This can be useful for making you aware of your energy consumption and helping you to spend less. Smart meters connect with your energy provider so that you’re always getting billed what the meter reads.
Install a tankless water heater
Whilst traditional water heaters store hot water in a tank, a tankless water heater heats up water only when you need it. This can save you a lot of money. It’s worth reading comparison guides to find the best tankless water heater for you. Make sure to factor in the installation cost (you will make up this cost in the long run).
Switch to solar heating
Rather than using gas, you could consider switching to electricity generated by solar panels. Installing solar panels can be expensive, but you’re certain to make a return in the future – being able to generate all your own power could prevent you from ever having to pay an energy bill again. Even a couple of solar panels could be enough to reduce your bills. You should shop around for solar panels as they can vary in price. You could even make small additions such as adding solar lights.
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