As the weather gets colder, many of us will be turning on our central heating to keep our homes warm. But there are some common mistakes we are making that could be adding to our bills
With winter now upon us, many households will be cranking up the central heating to keep homes cosy. However, with energy bills remaining steep, it’s crucial to ensure no heat is being wasted.
Experts have cautioned that several common blunders many of us make could be inflating our bills without us even noticing. Fortunately, these errors can be avoided, preventing unnecessary spikes in household energy expenditure.
Energy efficiency specialist Jamie Burns warned: “Most of us think we’re being smart with our heating, but a few small bad habits can quietly waste hundreds of pounds each year.
“Getting to know how your system really works can make a huge difference to both comfort and cost,” added the expert from reliability firm Ailsa.
Jamie encouraged households to check they’re not warming up unoccupied spaces. This might include spare bedrooms currently sitting empty or corridors that are merely walked through, reports the Express.
Running the heating in areas you’re not actually using can even diminish the flow to the rooms requiring warmth. Therefore, it’s essential to remember to simply switch off radiators in these vacant rooms.
Another frequent error involves inadequate timing and thermostat management. Jamie cautioned that leaving the heating running continuously or using identical schedules throughout every room will prove costlier than implementing zoning and timed programmes.
Once again, if certain areas don’t require heating, ensure the radiators remain off in those rooms and aren’t included in the schedule. For the rooms you’re heating, make sure the warmth can’t escape.
Unsealed letterboxes, chimney draughts and bare loft hatches can all allow heat to leak out.
“With energy prices still high, every small improvement adds up,” Jamie explained. “Understanding how to get the best from your heating can make your home feel warmer and your bills lighter.
“It’s not about big, expensive upgrades; it’s about being smarter with what you already have. A few thoughtful adjustments can make this winter far more comfortable without the extra cost.”