It’s that time of year again when the central heating goes on and you open your energy bill with dread. This winter it seems worse than ever – how can your bill have gone up so much when your usage hasn’t changed?
What factors affect your central heating bill?
There are several reasons why your central heating bill might have increased:
1. Energy prices have risen
The biggest factor affecting your bill is the wholesale cost of gas and electricity. These are set by global markets and have skyrocketed in the past year. Energy bills rose 54% in April 2022 when the price cap increased. They rose again in October by an average of 27%. Unfortunately, this is outside of your control.
2. You have an older, inefficient boiler
If your boiler is more than 10 years old, it’s likely less efficient than a new A-rated model. Older boilers tend to lose heat through the casing and flue, wasting energy. Upgrading to a new condensing boiler can help you save up to £350 per year.
3. Your home needs more insulation
Heat escapes through gaps in floors, walls, ceilings, windows and doors. Insulating your home prevents wasted energy. Loft insulation up to 270mm thick can save £215 per year. Cavity wall insulation saves £115. Solid wall insulation is more expensive but can reduce bills by £470 per year.
4. Your radiators need bleeding
Bleeding your radiators releases trapped air bubbles so water can circulate properly. This allows heat to spread more efficiently around your home. Doing this regularly optimizes your system.
5. Your boiler thermostat is set too high
Having your thermostat at 20°C can use around 20% more energy than if it’s at 18°C. Turning it down 1 degree can save around £85 per year. Putting it on a timer means it’s only on when needed.
6. Your home is losing heat
Check for draughts around windows, doors, chimneys, floorboards and skirting boards. Draught excluders and seals can plug the gaps. Thermal linings for curtains also prevent heat escaping through windows.
How can I reduce my central heating bill?
Here are some ways to cut your heating costs:
1. Switch energy supplier or tariff
Compare deals to see if you can get a cheaper fixed rate from another provider. Or see if your supplier has a better tariff. Watch out for exit fees if you’re still in contract.
2. Get an up-to-date meter reading
Give a regular meter reading so your bills accurately reflect your energy use rather than relying on estimates. This prevents you being overcharged.
3. Turn down the thermostat
As mentioned above, lowering your thermostat 1 degree can save £85 per year. Put timers on so it’s only on when needed. Position thermostats away from heat sources and draughts.
4. Run your boiler efficiently
Set the flow temperature to 60°C or less. Keep radiators clear and bleed them regularly. Service your boiler annually. Upgrade to a new efficient model if over 10 years old.
5. Take advantage of controls
Smart thermostats like Hive let you control the heating remotely via an app. You can set schedules, create temperature zones and integrations with smart speakers.
6. Use a thermal lining on curtains
Lined curtains can reduce heat loss through windows by up to 17%. Make sure they are properly sealed and close to the floor.
7. Turn off radiators in unused rooms
Stop heating empty rooms by turning the radiators down to lower or off. Shut doors to prevent heat escaping.
8. Insulate your home
As mentioned, insulation in walls, floors and lofts greatly improves efficiency. But small things like draught excluders also help.
9. Take showers instead of baths
An average bath uses 80 litres of water whereas a typical shower uses 62 litres in 4 minutes. So showers are more economical for water heating.
How do my heating habits affect my bill?
Your individual heating habits make a difference to your bill too:
Having the heating on more
The greater your heating demand, the more energy you will use. Turning up the thermostat or having it on for longer both increase bills.
Heating empty rooms
Don’t waste money heating unused rooms – turn down individual radiators or the boiler thermostat.
Blocking radiators
Blocked radiators with furniture prevent heat circulating. This makes the system work harder to warm the room.
Not ventilating damp air
Showering and cooking creates moisture which should be ventilated. Damp air feels cooler and makes your boiler work harder.
Leaving doors open
Having interior doors open allows warm air to flow out of heated rooms, wasting energy throughout the house.
Draughty windows
Gaps around windows let warm air escape. Seals, excluders and lined curtains prevent this.
How does my home contribute to high heating bills?
Factors in your home itself also influence your heating costs:
Poor insulation
Lack of insulation, especially in older homes, results in wasted heating through gaps, walls, ceilings etc.
Single glazed windows
Non energy efficient windows allow warm air to escape and let draughts in. Double or triple glazing prevents this.
Older radiators
Outdated designs like single panel radiators are less efficient at distributing heat than modern slimline versions.
Inefficient boiler
Old boilers tend to lose heat and are less environmentally friendly. Upgrading can reduce bills by up to £350 annually.
Too large boiler
An oversized boiler results in more cycling on and off which wastes energy. Make sure yours is correctly sized.
Open plan spaces
Heat flows more easily through open spaces. Closing doors to hallways or staircases helps contain it.
High ceilings
Heat rises so rooms with high ceilings naturally lose more. Consider ceiling curtains or repositioning outlets at lower levels.
Conclusion
To summarize, central heating bills are driven by:
- Rising energy prices
- Boiler model and efficiency
- Insulation levels
- Thermostat settings and controls
- Individual heating habits
- Home layout and heat retention
There are many ways to improve efficiency and reduce waste, from upgrading your boiler to changing behaviours. Comparing energy deals is also wise as prices vary significantly. While market conditions are unavoidable, small adjustments can yield decent savings. Focus on the areas you have control over.