As the weather gets colder, your home’s heating system uses more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature. Rising energy prices drive your home’s monthly energy bills even higher. If you’re noticing an increase in monthly expenses, there are plenty of things you can do to save on heating bills. From increasing your home efficiency to finding lower energy rates with Price To Compare, the right strategies cut costs quickly.

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Understanding the Basics of Heating Efficiency

Your home’s heating efficiency depends on multiple factors, including insulation quality, heating system performance, and the construction of the building. In general, homes that are well-insulated, thoroughly sealed, and fitted with an efficient HVAC system are less expensive to heat.

Every building is different, however, which means that the cheapest way to heat a home can vary significantly between properties. Your options may also be affected by your budget and ownership status. As you look for ways to cut costs, start with the factors that are within your control — drafty doors, for example, or thermostat settings. From there, you can consider more permanent upgrades to the building and its systems.

How to Save Money on Heating: Quick, Cost-Effective Tips for Immediate Savings

High energy rates and unexpectedly cold winters can spike your monthly energy costs. If you need to figure out how to save on heating bills immediately, use these tips.

1. Seal Air Leaks

Warm air can escape easily through tiny cracks around your doors, windows, vents, or pipes. Sealing these leaks can help reduce heat loss and lower your energy bill.

To start, feel for drafts around windows and doors. Then, apply adhesive weatherstripping to the areas where air tends to escape. Common air leaks occur around the interior edges of door frames, around window casings, and around window sashes. Many products are removable, so they’re a great option if you’re determining how to save on heating costs as a renter.

Other ways to block drafts include:

• Door sweeps. Look for models that close the gap between the bottom of the door and the threshold.
• Door snakes. These long, narrow fabric tubes, which are typically filled with rice or sand, rest against the bottom of a door or window to block drafts.
• Storm doors and windows. When installed on the exterior of your home, these units can help insulate your doors and windows.
• Caulk. Seal tiny cracks using temporary or permanent caulk.

2. Cover the Windows

Windows are a key source of heat loss, particularly in homes with older, single-pane glass. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), approximately 25% to 35% of residential heating and cooling costs are lost through windows.

To keep heat inside, swap out your window treatments for the winter. Replace lightweight curtains with thick, insulating drapes, and keep them closed at night and when you’re at work. If you’re home during the day, add sheer panels to insulate the glass without blocking natural light. Alternatively, install cellular shades or thermally insulated blinds.

If your windows are old or inefficient, covering them with plastic may be a more affordable solution. You can find an inexpensive kit at any home improvement store; it typically comes with a plastic sheet that stretches across the window frame and traps cold air. Installed carefully, the material is nearly invisible.

3. Adjust Your Thermostat

One of the easiest energy saving tips for winter is to adjust your thermostat when you’re sleeping or out of the house. According to the DOE, reducing the thermostat setting by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours every day can reduce your average heating bill by up to 10%. Drop the temperature as low as you can without impacting pets and plants; this could be anywhere from 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you live in an area with extremely cold temperatures, consider your pipes. A thermostat that’s set too low can increase the risk of frozen or burst pipes, particularly in homes with inadequate insulation.

A smart thermostat can automate these settings for you based on a pre-programmed schedule. You can usually make adjustments using a smartphone app. Some models even feature a geofence feature that detects when you’re on your way home and increases the heat before your arrival.

4. Dress in Layers

Lower the heat without sacrificing comfort by dressing in thick layers. Buy a robe, a plush hoodie, slippers, or wool socks to wear around the house. They’ll keep you warm and cozy even when the thermostat is low. You can also pile thick blankets on the couch for extra warmth when you’re reading or watching TV.

5. Use a Space Heater

An energy-efficient space heater can provide supplemental heat and allow you to keep the thermostat at a lower setting. The goal isn’t to heat an entire room — choose a compact, rolling model, and keep it close to you. It’s an easy way to warm up when you’re working from home or relaxing in the evening.

To keep electricity costs in check, look for a model that’s about 750W. If you use it for 8 hours per day, you’ll pay an average of $24 per month. Then, you can lower your thermostat to 65 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce heating costs for the whole house. Depending on the size of your home and the natural gas rates in your area, this strategy could create a significant monthly savings.

Home Upgrades With Long-Term Benefits

If you own your home, you have the freedom to make upgrades that reduce your heating bills over the long term. Focus on areas with the biggest potential for energy savings:

• Improve insulation. If your insulation is old, damaged, or thin, it may be time for an upgrade. The DOE estimates that adequate insulation and draft sealing can cut your heating and cooling costs by up to 20%.
• Upgrade windows. Older windows tend to be drafty and inefficient. Installing ENERGY STAR certified replacements could help you save up to 13% on your energy bills.
• Maintain HVAC systems. Regular HVAC system maintenance keeps it running efficiently. Change the filters, clean accessible components, and check ducts and vents for damage. Once per year, schedule professional maintenance to complete small repairs. A proactive maintenance strategy helps you avoid bigger, more expensive problems in the future.  
• Consider renewable options. Install solar panels or a residential wind turbine to generate renewable electricity and reduce annual costs. Your local utility may even buy back the excess power you generate through a net metering program.

Reducing Heating Bills as a Renter vs. Homeowner

Integrate Efficient Heating Into Home Energy Management

If you live in an area with cold winters, heating likely makes up a significant part of your annual energy expenses. To manage costs, consider how heating fits into your overall energy management plan. For example, as you replace major appliances such as the boiler, heat pump, or furnace, prioritize energy efficient models. An ENERGY STAR certified heat pump can reduce annual energy costs by approximately $550 for a four-person household. Efficient appliances may also qualify for tax credits or utility company rebates.

Tools and Resources

There are a variety of free tools available to help you manage your home’s heating costs and energy usage. If you live in a deregulated energy market, start with Price To Compare.  Our online energy marketplace helps you find the best natural gas rates and electricity rates. Check out our energy shopping resources to learn more about the process.

Other helpful tools include:

• DOE appliance energy calculator
• DOE DIY energy audit checklist
• ENERGY STAR rebate finder
• Federal tax credits for energy efficiency

Environmental and Financial Impact of Efficient Heating

An efficient heating plan can go a long way toward controlling expenses during the coldest months. Many winter energy saving tips, including sealing drafts and reinforcing insulation, can also help lower your natural gas and electricity bills throughout the rest of the year. 

Energy-efficient heating is easy on your wallet and good for the planet. Using less energy reduces your annual greenhouse emissions, which helps slow climate change and eases the strain on the planet’s natural resources. If you switch to renewable energy, either through home systems or a renewable energy plan, you support a healthier planet.

Reduce Your Electric Bill With Price To Compare

At Price To Compare, we negotiate with the top energy suppliers in the country to offer the best available energy rates for your home or business. For personalized energy solutions and additional winter heating tips, reach out to our team today!

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• Heating Advice

10 Ways to Save on your Heating Bills

We all want to know how to save on heating bills, and there are many different ways to lower them. From quick wins to more long-term investments, we’ve created a list of 10 ways to save on your heating bills.

Before we get started, was your boiler installed more than 10 years ago? If so, the best way to lower your heating bills could be by investing in a new replacement boiler.

Average UK energy bill

The cost of gas and electricity has increased in recent years. According to the latest figures (Oct '22) the average UK homeowner is spending between £1,712 – £3,493 per year on their energy bills.

Since late , a number of energy suppliers collapsed due to the demand and price of gas increasing rapidly across the globe. Current guidance from market experts is to avoid switching suppliers until prices become more stable. We've broken the situation down further if you want to find out more about the energy crisis.

With uncertainty still surrounding the cost of gas, now more than ever is a good time to think about ways to save energy in your home. One of the best ways to do this is to look at how we heat our homes and the tricks we can use to cut down our energy consumption. We’ve listed below 10 ways that you can save money and still keep your home nice and warm.

How to save on heating bills

1. Insulation

Insulation is key to keeping your bills down. Without insulation, heat can make its way out of your home. This means that your boiler will have to work harder which will drive up your heating bills.

So making sure your home is well insulated will keep the heat within the walls.

There are many types of insulation and insulating your roof and loft is a must. You should also insulate cavity walls, solid walls and the floor.

2. Boiler

Older boilers are usually temperamental and unreliable. They are less energy efficient too.

As a boiler ages, it loses efficiency, making it more expensive to run as it consumes more fuel than it can convert to heat. They are also potentially very dangerous, as there is a higher risk of carbon monoxide leaks or exposure.

If you've had the same boiler for a long time (8+ years), you should consider replacing it. This can lower your energy bills, improve your environmental impact and ensure your heating system is as safe as possible.

Link to FuShiDe Boiler

If you think getting a new boiler installed would be a good solution for you, you can use our free service to get comparison quotes from heating engineers in your area.

3. Double or triple glazing

All properties lose heat through their windows, but double or even triple glazing can keep your home warmer and quieter, as well as reducing your energy bills. Double glazed windows have two sheets of glass with a gap in between, which traps the heat in, making your property more comfortable and energy efficient.

Although triple glazed windows have three sheets of glass, they aren't always better than double glazed options, so always assess the best choice for your property.

4. Heavy curtains

If you don't have a lot of money to spend on energy efficiency improvements, there are cheaper options for you to consider. One of the easiest ways to keep your property warm is with heavy curtains.

Find curtains with thermal lining, or line your current ones yourself with cheap fabric. Putting thick curtains up in every room will protect your property from losing heat through the windows. Drawing your curtains at dusk will also help to keep the heat in when the cold nights set in.

5. Draught-proofing

One of the cheapest and most efficient ways to save energy and money is by draught-proofing your property. If you have any gaps around windows, doors and floors, cold air will be let in and the heat will be able to escape.

To effectively draught-proof your property, block up any unwanted gaps that let cold air in. This way, you will save the warm air in your home and therefore use less energy trying to keep it heated.

6. Programmable thermostats

Whether you're a homeowner or a landlord providing a home to tenants, it is a good idea to use a programmable thermostat in your property.

These allow you to set on and off time periods for your boiler and select different temperatures in your home at different times of the day. This means that your property will be heated when it needs to be, and you can save money when you don't need the heating on.

7. Insulate the pipes

If you don't already, it is a good idea to look into insulating the pipes throughout your property. This will reduce the amount of heat lost and keep the hot water warmer for longer, ultimately saving you money.

Slipping pipe insulation around any exposed hot water pipes is easy if the pipes are accessible, and you can often complete the task yourself.

In addition, you may want to...

8. Insulate your hot water tank

Similarly to pipe insulation, using a hot water tank jacket on an uninsulated tank will save energy and money. All jackets should be at least 80mm thick and cost around £16 to buy.

Fitting one of these jackets can save up to 530kg in C02 emissions each year and save the average household around £70 on their yearly energy bill (Energy Saving Trust).

Not only is this an easy way to keep your property warm this winter, but it is cost effective too.

9. Keep the doors open

The debate over whether you should keep your doors open or closed has been going back and forth for some time, although it is widely believed that keeping the air flow going is important for your property.

Make sure that your internal doors are open throughout your home and you will keep the warm air moving through. If your doors are closed, the air flow process becomes slower, which uses more energy than allowing the heat to circulate.

Although you may want to keep the warmth contained, you will be better off allowing the heat to flow through your home.

10. Floor coverings

An easy and fairly cheap way to stop heat escaping through the floor (and to keep your toes warm!) is with floor coverings. This could be a nice cosy carpet or a rug in rooms that have wooden/linoleum floors. Although this won't make as much difference as floor insulation, it is still a simple way to keep your property warm.

No matter what time of year it is, it’s a good idea to put a plan together that will keep your property warm year-round. Spending a bit of money now could save you in the long run.

Save on heating bills with a grant

You could get help paying your heating bills thanks to one of a number of government schemes.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount can save eligible energy customers £140 a year on their electricity bills. Great news if you have an electric heating system.

Find out if you can apply.

Work from Home Tax Relief

If your employer needs you to work from home then you can apply for Working From Home Tax Relief.

This is a government scheme which entitles you to tax relief of £6 a week for the entire tax year. That works out at £1.20 each week if you pay the basic 20% tax rate.

Make the biggest cut to heating bills

If you’re really paying over the odds for heating, the best thing to do is replace your boiler.

While this does mean an initial investment, you could cut your heating bills by up to £840* per year. This is a significant saving and could mean you earn back what you paid to install the boiler in just a few years.

How much does a boiler cost?

A new boiler can cost £1,500 to £4,500. This includes installation by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

How much you end up paying will depend on the boiler you have installed. Prices vary depending on the type of boiler, manufacturer and model.

Use our Boiler Comparison Tool to find the best boiler for your home.

Then, on top of the price of the boiler, you’ll also need to think about the installation costs.

Save money on the installation

Comparing boiler quotes from at least 3 installers can save you money on the installation of a new boiler.

All boiler installers set their own rates and by going ahead with the first quote you get, you won’t know if you’re being overcharged. Plus, it gives you a better chance of finding the right person for the job.

By comparing quotes, you have a better chance of finding the right person for the job.

To upgrade your heating system and save on your heating bills, find the best boiler installers near you by using the link below.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Electric Heating Boilers.