As Britain enters it’s winter months and experts tell us to expect the coldest winter in five years, many people rely heavily on their central heating systems to keep their house warm.

But with over 70 per cent of household energy consumption spent on heating homes, there is much to be gained in reducing this figure. Not only can you cut your energy bill but you can rest easy knowing you’re helping the planet by reducing your carbon footprint.

So here are 8 simple tips for keeping your home warm for little or no extra cost- just in time for that severe weather warning.

1.Use your curtains

Heat from the sun is free so make the most of it! During the day keep your curtains open to warm your room, then shut them at night to add an extra layer of insulation and keep the warmth in.

2.Use timers on your central heating

The centre for sustainable energy advises that programming your boiler to turn the heating on a little earlier- such as 30 minutes before you get up in the morning- but at a lower temperature is cheaper than turning it on just as you need it at a high temperature. This is because a boiler heats up at a constant speed whether you set your thermostat to 20 degrees or 30 degrees.

3.Move your sofa

It might feel cosier to curl up on a sofa next to the radiator, but it’s absorbing heat that could be warming your home. By creating space between the sofa or your drying clothes or your curtains, the hot air will circulate more freely and you can get the most out of your heat source.

4.Maximise your insulation

Around 25% of heat is lost through the roof. If you add just 25cm of insulation to your loft, you can reduce this by a significant amount. A third of heat in an uninsulated home is also lost through the walls, so it’s worth contacting us to find out how insulation can be beneficial to your energy bills- Cavity wall insulation could save you up to £160 a year in heating costs!

5.Wrap up warm

By insulating your hot water tank, you could save up to £150 a year by keeping the water warmer for longer and reducing heating costs.

6.Turn down the dial

Research shows that turning your thermostat down by 1-degree celsius, you could cut your heating bills by up to 10%. That’s a lot of savings for a change you probably won’t even notice!

7.Block out the draughts

DIY draught- proofing your doors, windows, and cracks could save you up to £25 a year- and you can do this yourself for very little cost with self-adhesive rubber seals.

8.Reflect the Heat

You can reflect heat back into your room by installing radiator panels to ensure the heat from your radiator warms up your room, not your walls, saving you money with next to no effort!

By using a mix - or even one- of these tips, you can have a cosy home and save money on your bills that can go towards more Christmas presents! Please contact us if you have any questions about insulation to keep your house warm this winter.