To save moneyon heating bills while keeping your home
comfortable, it’s important to make your central heating system work better. Energy prices are high right
now, so making changes to your heating system is a great idea. Radiators are a key part of this. Even small
changes can greatly improve energy usage and help keep your home at a nice temperature.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, heating costs make up around 55% of what a UK household spends on energy bills. Hot water adds another 20%. You can
save money by improving radiator performance. Using heating controls smartly can also help. This reduces
heat loss and lowers carbon emissions. In total, these tips can save you hundreds of pounds every year.
1. Bleed Your Radiators to Remove
Trapped Air
If your radiators feel cold in some areas, they are not heating well. Air stuck inside stops hot water from
flowing right. This makes your central heating system work harder to make the same amount of heat.
Signs That Your Radiator Needs
Bleeding:
The top of your radiator is cool, but the bottom is warm.
You hear bubbling noises when the heating system is working.
Your heating takes more time than normal to get warm.
How to Bleed a Radiator Properly:
First, turn off your central heating system and let the radiators cool down.
Next, use a radiator key or a flat-head screwdriver to open the valve at the top of your radiator.
Slowly turn the valve to the left until you hear a hissing sound. This means air is escaping.
When you see water start to drip out, close the valve tightly.
Finally, turn your heating system back on and check if the radiator heats evenly.
A good radiator can save you money. When your
radiator works well, it heats your home more efficiently. This means less energy is wasted. You could save
up to £75 each year on your heating bills.
2. Adjust Radiator Valves
for Even Heat Distribution
Many homes have heating issues. Some rooms may feel very warm while others feel cold. This usually occurs
when the radiator valves are not balanced right. When this happens, energy useis not efficient, which can lead to
higher heating bills.
How to Balance Your
Radiators for Even Heat:
First, turn off your heating system and let the radiators cool down.
Next, find the radiator that is closest to the boiler. This one usually heats up the fastest.
Slightly open the lockshield valve, which is typically at the bottom of the radiator.
Now, go to the radiator that is the furthest from the boiler. Open that valve more to help it heat up
well.
Keep doing this for all radiators to make sure they heat evenly.
A good heating system can save you money. It eases the load on the boiler and central heating controls. You
can save up to £100 each year on energy bills.
Check if you're paying too much.
Compare your current tariff with the cheapest energy deals available in your area – it only takes a few minutes.
3. Use
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) to Control Room Temperatures
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) let you control the temperature in each room separately. This means you
do not have to heat every room to the same temperature.
Benefits of TRVs:
Let each room have its own temperature (for example, make the living room warmer and spare bedrooms
cooler).
Stop overheating in rooms that don’t get used much, which saves energy.
Help central heating systems work better.
Recommended Settings for TRVs:
Living Room / Main Spaces: 18-21°C
Bedrooms: 16-18°C
Spare Bedroom / Unused Rooms: 15°C (instead of turning off the radiator completely)
Installing TRVs can lower heating costs by up to 10%. This means you could save around £120 each year.
4. Set Your Boiler
Flow Temperature to 60°C for Efficiency
Many boilers run at hotter temperatures than needed. This wastes energy and makes gas bills higher. You can
save energy by changing your boiler flow temperature to 60°C. The default setting is usually 70-80°C. This
change can help with energy efficiency. The best
part is that you won’t notice a change in comfort.
Why Lowering Boiler Flow
Temperature Helps
Many boilers are set to a temperature that is too high, leading to extra energy use.
When you lower the boiler flow temperature, the system works better. This makes your home warm without
using too much gas.
New combi boilers run better at lower temperatures. They cut down on heat loss and still give you enough
hot water for everyday needs.
How to Adjust
Your Boiler Flow Temperature:
Locate the boiler temperature dial– Look for a dial or digital setting for flow
temperature on the front panel of your boiler.
Find the correct setting– Most boilers have two temperature controls: one for hot water
and another for central heating. Change the setting for central heating flow temperature.
Lower the temperature to 60°C– If it’s set to 70-80°C, reduce it to 60°C. This keeps
your heating comfortable and helps use less energy.
Monitor performance– After you make the change, check if the radiators are heating up
well. If they are not working right, increase the setting a bit.
5. Prevent Heat Loss with
Radiator Reflectors
If your radiators are on outside walls, much of the heat goes out instead of warming your home. Radiator
reflectors can help bounce the heat back into the room.
How to Install Radiator Reflectors:
Cut reflective foil to the size needed to fit behind the radiator.
Stick it to the wall with adhesive strips.
Make sure the shiny side is facing the radiator. This will help reflect more heat back into the room.
Using radiator reflectors can help you save money. They can cut heat loss by up to 30%. This can lead to a
saving of £50 a year on heating costs.
6. Keep Radiators Clear
for Maximum Heat Circulation
Blocking radiators with furniture, curtains, or laundry can stop heat from getting out. This makes your
heating system work harder to keep things warm.
Tips to Keep Radiators
Unobstructed:
Keep sofas, beds, or desks at least 15cm away from the radiator.
Do not hang clothes or towels on radiators; use a heated airer instead.
Make sure curtains do not block the radiator, as this will trap heat.
Maximising the heat output of your radiator can help reduce the stress on your boiler. This can lead to
savings of £100 to £150 each year.
7. Use a Timer and
Programmer to Reduce Heating Costs
Leaving the heating on all day can use a lot of energy. A timer or programmer helps you create heating
schedules. This way, it can fit your lifestyle better.
Ideal Heating Schedule:
Morning: 30 minutes before you wake up.
Evening: 1 hour before you get home.
Night: Turn off or set the temperature to 15°C while you sleep.
Using heating timers the right way can help lower heating bills by 15%. This means you can save about £150 to
£200 each year.
8. Use Smart Radiator
Valves for Automated Efficiency
Smart radiator valves change the heating levels based on the room temperature and how much you use the space.
This helps to cut down on heating costs without any extra work.
Advantages of Smart Radiator
Valves:
Let you control it from your smartphone app.
Lower the heat in rooms that are not being used.
Connect with smart thermostats to save more energy.
Smart radiator valves can help save money on heating bills. You can save up to 20%. This means you may save
between £200 and £250 each year.
9. Keep Doors Closed to Trap Heat in
Rooms
Heat can easily get out into hallways, staircases, and unused rooms when doors are open. This makes your
central heating system work harder to keep the temperature of the water in the radiators steady. As a
result, your heating costs may go up.
How to Prevent Heat Loss from
Open Doors:
Keep doors closed in spare bedrooms, hallways, and areas you don’t use much. This stops heat from
leaving.
Use draught excluders. They will help keep cold air from coming in under doors.
Think about putting up internal door curtains. They can add extra insulation in bigger, open areas.
You can save money by closing doors to reduce heat loss. This can lower your heating bills by as much as £100
each year.
Check if you're paying too much.
Compare your current tariff with the cheapest energy deals available in your area – it only takes a few minutes.
10. Insulate Hot Water
Pipes and Your Hot Water Tank
Many homes waste heat through hot water pipes and tanks. This makes the boiler work harder. It tries to keep
a comfortable temperature for showers, baths, and central heating.
How to Insulate Hot Water Systems:
Put a hot water jacket around your hot water tank to stop heat from escaping.
Insulate exposed pipes with foam to keep the hot water warm longer.
Take shorter showers. This will use less hot water and help your boiler work better.
You can save money by insulating your hot water system. This could lower your heating costs by £80 to £150
each year.
11. Lower Your Thermostat
by 1°C to Cut Heating Costs
The temperature in your home is very important for energy use. A lot of people make their homes too hot. They
don’t know that turning down the thermostat a little can help them save a lot of money.
Ideal Thermostat
Settings for Energy Efficiency:
Living areas: 64-70°F
Bedrooms: 61-64°F
Unused rooms: 59°F
How to Make This Change Easier:
Slowly lower the room thermostat by 1°C at a time. Keep going until you find the lowest comfortable
temperature.
Instead of turning up the heating, use blankets or heated throws to stay warm.
Set cooler temperatures at different times of the day. For example, lower the thermostat while you are
sleeping.
Lowering your thermostat by only 1°C can reduce heating costs by up to 10%. This could save you between £145
and £200 each year.
12. Use
Your Radiators and Boiler More Efficiently in Autumn and Winter
Many homeowners start heating their homes too soon or keep it running longer than needed. This can lead to
higher energy bills.
Seasonal Heating Tips to Save
Money:
Wait to turn on central heating until you really need it. Wear warm clothes and use blankets in early
autumn.
Turn off radiators in rooms that you do not use. Avoid heating empty places.
Set your heating to warm up slowly instead of switching it on to full power right away.
By using smarter heating habits in autumn and winter, you can save energy. This could help you save between
£100 and £150 every year.
Radiator Heating Savings Breakdown
Energy-Saving Action
Potential Savings Per Year (£)
Bleed radiators
£75
Balance radiator valves
£100
Lower boiler flow temperature
£150
Use radiator reflectors
£50
Install smart radiator valves
£250
These easy changes can help homes in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England lower their energy
bills. They can also keep families warm.
FAQs About Reducing
Heating Bills with Radiator Hacks
Is it better to keep radiators on a low setting all day or turn them on
and off?
Using a timer to heat your home is better than leaving the radiators on all day. Heating in short
bursts when you need it saves energy. It also stops heat loss when you are not at home.
Do bigger radiators use more
energy?
Bigger radiators don’t always use more energy. They can heat up a room faster. When you use them
with a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), a larger radiator can be more efficient. It gets to
the set temperature quicker and needs less energy to keep it there.
Should I turn off
radiators in rooms I don’t use?
Instead of turning off your radiators totally, it’s a good idea to lower the temperature to
around 15°C. This helps to stop damp and condensation. It also helps to save on heating costs.
How often should I bleed my
radiators?
Radiators need to be bled at least once a year. It’s best to do this before the cold weather
comes. If you see cold spots, feel uneven heating, or hear gurgling noises, bleeding the
radiator can help. This will make it work better and lower your heating costs.
Can smart radiator
valves really save money?
Smart radiator valves help you control the temperature in each room. This means you can reduce
heating in areas that are not used much. By doing this, you can save energy, which may decrease
your heating bills by up to 20%. You can stay comfortable without using extra energy.
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