13 Ways to save money on your energy bills this winter

There are a number of energy efficiency upgrades that can really make a difference to keep us warm, as well as make savings on heating bills.

With the colder months approaching, making small changes to how we manage energy can lead to significant savings to heating bills and a warmer home. Here are some energy-savings tips to get you through winter.

1. Bleed your radiators
Bleeding radiators makes your home warmer and can help reduce the cost of your energy bills by removing trapped air, making them more efficient.

2. Compare energy prices
To save money on energy costs, it makes sense to shop around for the best prices and tariffs. Use the Consumer Council’s price comparison tool to make sure you’re not overpaying for your energy.

3. Join an oil buyers’ club – NIHE Oil Buying Network
As a NI Oil Buying Network (OBN) member, you can order your oil each week (or whenever you need a refill) at a negotiated discount. You can save £10-£30 per 200 litres by joining others in bulk purchasing. It’s free to join, you can buy as little as 200 litres without having to buy larger bulk orders and it will help you save money on your energy costs.

4. Draught proofing
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy – and money – in any type of building. Here are some of our top tips for draught proofing:

• install a chimney balloon
• install door draught excluders or seals
• install insulation for walls and floor insulating underlay
• install a keyhole cover
• install a letterbox brush seal
• install an air vent cover

5. Low-cost secondary glazing
This is an affordable alternative to double glazed windows. It creates a secondary glazing effect on windows to prevent draughts and keeps the warm air in.

6. Insulation
About a third of all the heat lost in an uninsulated home escapes through the walls, and a quarter of heat is lost through the roof. Insulating these areas will keep your home warmer and lower heating costs.

7. Service your boiler
Annual boiler maintenance is essential to keep it running efficiently and safely.

8. Lower your combi boiler’s flow temperature
All boilers are more efficient when the return temperature is low, and this can save you energy and money. Find more information here.

9. Understand your heating system and controls
Did you know that heating and hot water accounts for over half of what you spend on your energy bills? Programmers allow you to set ‘on’ and ‘off’ time periods.
Set your central heating programme to come on around half an hour before you get up, and go off around half an hour before you go to bed. And if the house is empty during the day make sure you’ve set the programmer to go off for this period too.

10. Move furniture away from radiators
Moving your sofa just a little bit away from the radiator means the heat can circulate a bit more freely, making your home warmer.

11. Insulate your pipes
Adding foam insulation to exposed hot water pipes helps retain heat and prevents freezing in colder weather.

12. Declutter your gutters
In the winter, gutters can become clogged with leaves and other debris and cause water damage to your home. It is important to remove this buildup before it causes problems.

13. Close your curtains
Closing your curtains at dusk helps trap heat inside, saving energy.

By making these small changes you can make your home warmer and more energy-efficient this winter. Remember, small steps can lead to big savings on your energy bills and a more comfortable home.