7 essential home tasks that will help you save money
We all want to try and save money on our energy costs, especially with soaring bills and other rising costs such as rent, mortgage payments, and council tax. But how can we do it?
James Clark, technical training manager at smart heating control brand Wiser, shares his top tasks that you can tackle now to help reduce your energy bills in the winter months and could help you to make significant savings in the long-term.
Your future self will definitely thank you…
1. Get your boiler serviced
“Being proactive and getting your boiler serviced now will mean you can avoid costly repairs or breakdowns when you need it the most.
“Gas Safe registered engineers tend to have more availability in the spring and summer months, so getting booked in will be much easier than later in the year.
“Anyone servicing your boiler must be listed on the Gas Safe Register as they are the only gas engineers legally allowed to do this work.
“Make sure you double check the list before booking your appointment.”
2. Bleed your radiators
“Bleeding your radiators during the spring and summer will improve your energy efficiency.
“It will ensure that your heating system is working perfectly ready for the colder months.
“Since you’re less reliant on heating in the warmer months, it’s the perfect time to release any trapped air without disrupting your home’s heating when it’s in use.
“Check for any cold patches, or gurgling or banging sounds.
“These could all be indicators that it’s time to get the Allen key out and bleed those radiators.”
3. Flush your radiators
“This is something that only needs to be done every 8-10 years, but spring/summer is the ideal time as it’s easier to do when your heating isn’t in use.
“Flushing your radiators is important as it gets rid of any sludge and gunk that has built up over the years.
“The build up could mean your heating isn’t as efficient and could damage your boiler or heat pump in the long run if left unchecked.
“A telltale sign it is time to flush is if you’ve attempted to bleed your radiators and noticed the water coming out is brown or discoloured.
“Or it could be if they need bleeding more often than usual.”
4. Check your insulation
“A well-insulated home could save UK homeowners up to £380 on their annual energy bills. But, over time insulation can deteriorate or shift which will reduce effectiveness and therefore result in higher energy bills.
“Inspecting your insulation while the weather is mild will allow you to identify and fix any gaps, moisture damage, or thinning areas before they become a problem. This will help to make sure your home is energy efficient all year round.”
5. Draught proof your home
“Before the cold autumn air returns, it’s a good idea to check and tackle any draughts in your home.
“Sealing any gaps around windows, doors and vents will mean it’s nice and toasty in the winter months.
“Proper draught proofing can help to save UK homeowners around £40 per year.
“If your home has an open chimney, you could actually save an additional £55 per year by simply adding a draught excluder or chimney cap when it’s not in use.”
6. Clear your gutters
“Clearing your gutters in the summer is essential, not only to prevent potential damage but also to help with your homes energy efficiency.
“Over autumn and winter, leaves and debris can accumulate which causes blockages that lead to water overflow and moisture build up.
“This trapped moisture not only increases the risk of mould in your home, which can be damaging to your health, but also makes it harder for your home to retain heat in winter.
“This will inevitably lead to higher heating bills.”
7. Install smart home heating
“Installing smart heating in spring means that you will have plenty of time to fine tune your settings.
“This will mean you can make the most of the savings to be made when the weather turns.
“Controlled through the Wiser Home app, the smart home heating system will allow you to control the temperature in different rooms individually.
“This means saving on energy and therefore reducing heating costs.
“From the app, you can activate smart modes such as Away Mode and Eco Mode and save an additional 16% of annual energy bills.
Taking these simple measures can make a big difference in preparing your home for the colder months.
James adds: “From servicing your boiler to installing smart heating, these proactive measures can help improve energy efficiency and prevent expensive bills and repairs.
“By planning ahead now, you’ll not only save on energy bills, but also enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is ready for whatever the British winter brings.”
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