10 top tips for homes to save on heating bills this Christmas

New guidance has been issued to help homeowners reduce their heating costs over the festive season as temperatures continue to drop.

The advice comes as a recent report has revealed 3.18 million households in England are living in fuel poverty as concerns grow amid falling temperatures over winter.

In response OFTEC, a registration body for off-gas grid heating technicians, has issued 10 top tips for households to maximise their heating over Christmas, whilst ensuring their system is in good working order to avoid any breakdowns.

The organisation’s household winter checklist on how to keep warm, stay safe and keep fuel bill lows during this chilly season, includes:

Keep your heating on at a consistent temperature – If you are at home more than usual over the Christmas period. During cold weather it is often more efficient to keep the heating on constantly at a lower temperature, rather than running it at full capacity at intervals throughout the day.

Adjust your heating timers – If you are going to be away for Christmas it is important not to waste heat, so don’t run your heating more than you need to. When away, leave the temperature set between 12-15 degrees to avoid the risk of burst pipes during freezing weather.

Check your radiators – Remember to adjust individual radiators and turn them down in rooms you aren’t using. You should also ensure furniture or other large items aren’t directly in front of radiators as they will be less effective

Turn down the thermostat – Lowering your thermostat by just 1° can reduce your heating bill by 10%. However, keep your main room at a minimum temperature of 20C as living in a cold house can impact your health.

Check your fuel supply – ensure you have enough oil in the tank for winter and avoid the pitfalls of ordering oil at the last minute, when delivery times may be longer due to increased demand.

Inspect your tank – make sure all caps, lids and vents are secure to prevent damage from rainwater, melting snow and other contaminants. An OFTEC registered technician will inspect the tank as part of a regular service.

Close doors and curtains – the simplest measures lead to major energy savings so remember to close curtains and shut doors to keep heat in the rooms you use most.

Insulate your pipes – to prevent a freeze up in very cold weather, install lagging around your home heating and water pipes to insulate them. A professional can fit this for you, or keen DIY’ers can purchase lagging from a DIY store.

Keep the details of a local heating technician close to hand – a breakdown can be stressful enough without the hassle of finding a reliable tradesman. OFTEC registered technicians (for oil) and GasSafe technicians (for mains gas) are regularly inspected to ensure they are upholding high standards and compliance. Do not attempt to fix or service the appliance yourself as modern boilers require a trained professional.

Prevention is always best – identifying and fixing a problem earlier is much quicker and less expensive than waiting until it gets worse. Book your boiler in for a service with a OFTEC or GasSafe registered heating technician to provide peace of mind. The system will also be optimised as part of the service to run more efficiently, which could reduce your fuel bills.

Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, commented: “As we enter an already frosty festive month, boilers will be working hard. With everything else going on at Christmas, it might be the last thing on your mind. However, taking simple steps now can help lower your heating bills and keep your house warmer.

“Having your boiler serviced is particularly important as it will identify any issues you may not be aware of. This helps to prevent any breakdowns over winter when you are relying on your heating system more than ever. Using an OFTEC registered technician, who follows the highest industry standards, will ensure you receive a high quality service.”

To find your nearest OFTEC Registered Technician, visit find a technician.