However, don’t jump the gun to call in that professional builder or surveyor to analyse the problem in depth, there may be an easier way for you to help reduce the heating in your home. Read on for our four top tips on helping historical home-owners knock down the price of their heating from month to month.
1. Buy or Make your own Draught Excluders
All you need is a pillow or blanket, a bit of thread and a little knowledge on sewing and stuffing. Buying or making your own draught excluders is a cheap and easy way of instantly reducing your heating bills. Doors and windows that cause draughts help hot air to escape out of the house, meaning that your boiler and central heating system has to work harder to keep the property warm. By getting draught excluders, we eliminate this problem, helping to cut your heating costs swiftly and effectively.
2. Install Double Glazing for your Windows
Double glazing is far superior to single glazing when it comes to saving on heating bills, preventing the build-up of moisture and condensation and reducing your risk of getting damp in your home. While it can cost a pretty penny to start with, considering the money you will save on heating and potential repairs if condensation does get nasty, it is certainly worth that initial big payout. If you have classical sash windows, installing double glazing could be quite tricky but not impossible. Professional window experts will be able to install double glazing in your traditional windows without having to ruin the look of the rest of the window, so make sure to get a professional involved.
3. Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation
There are a number of schemes available designed to provide homeowners with free loft and cavity wall insulation, so I would jump on that wagon while you still can. Getting proper loft and cavity wall insulation helps to prevent your hot air from escaping through the walls and the roof. It also helps to keep your home warmer in general, meaning you won’t have to be making that trip to the heating switch quite so often. Certainly a good idea for reducing the bills.
4. Upgrade your Thermostat
If your thermostat is looking a little old or worse for wear, it might be a good idea to consider upgrading. An old thermostat will not work as well as a new one and this could be one of the causes of your inflated heating bill. A thermostat is designed to measure the room temperature and adjust the boiler accordingly, so if your thermostat is not working properly and thinks that the room is hotter or colder than it is, you may be looking at a constant battle of turning the heating up and down. This of course costs money, so it is a good idea to upgrade your thermostat to the latest model.
You can also consider getting a smart heating system, which allows you to control your central heating remotely through an app. You need never worry about leaving the heating on at home again! Or if you are otherwise occupied and you need to turn the heating down, you can do so at the touch of a button. It is a great way to save money on heating bills and being frugal where necessary.
It is always useful to know the tricks of the trade to reduce any kind of bill, so it is important that you do the best you can to save money on your heating bill, particularly when trying to heat a big historical property. Older properties can lose heat like the sun, and if you don’t want to be paying massive amounts of money just to stay warm during the winter, you’ll want to snap up these tips quickly!
Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working together with Sash Windows Tunbridge Wells, who were consulted over the information contained in this post.