Energy bills are soaring for millions across the UK with people cutting back on what they spend and where they spend it.
Due to the cost of living crisis, people are now trying alternative ways to cook with many turning their ovens off and replacing it with an air fryer in a bid to cut their bills. And now people, namely experts, have been speaking out about ways that people can do just that and save thousand of pounds within the process.
Because of this, energy experts at BOXT have shared their ultimate checklist for homeowners to help prepare their homes for winter, including simple DIY guides. Here's what they had to say.
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Check if you have the best boiler type for your home
Depending on the efficiency rating of your current boiler and the type of home you live in, you could save up to £840 a year on your energy bills simply by upgrading to a new A-rated boiler – without having to change the way you use it. The savings you see could be even greater if you add smart home technology like a Google Nest Learning Thermostat to help programme your boiler as efficiently as possible, which combined with an upgraded boiler could see savings of up to £1,150 per year on your energy bills
Check your radiators
Checking your radiators should be one of the first things you do, and it’s probably the easiest. To start with, make sure you switch on all your radiators. Once your home is heated, you’ll then be able to (carefully!) check your radiators for cold spots. Radiators can sometimes have air trapped in them, which prevents hot water from circulating properly, making the heating system less effective and efficient. Bleeding your radiators preventively at least once every year should prevent that problem.
Service your boiler
If you haven’t had your boiler serviced this year, it’d be a good idea to get that done as soon as possible. Not only does an annual boiler service ensure your manufacturer’s warranty remains valid, but it also provides you with the peace of mind that your heating system is working as it should be. Once you have a service, the Gas Safe registered engineer will let you know if there is something wrong with your boiler. They'll be able to spot an issue even before anything damaging to your system has happened.
Check your boiler pressure
Examining your boiler’s pressure level is a must as it will give you a good idea of what state your heating is in. If the gauge is in the red zone (too high or too low), then your hot water and heating might cut off and it could cause damage to the boiler. If the pressure is too low then you can top it up yourself, you just need to know which method your boiler uses for repressurising. If it’s too high, you can try bleeding your radiators to relieve some of the pressure in the system. If this doesn’t work or you are regularly experiencing high or low boiler pressure, then it’s worth getting an engineer out to take a look at what’s causing the problem.
Insulate your home
In addition to the wall, roof and floor insulation, insulating your water tank and radiators is a quick and easy way to improve efficiency, saving energy and, therefore, money. With options such as a hot water cylinder jacket, which you can fit yourself and only costs around £15, you can quickly start making improvements. Insulating or improving the existing insulation of your loft space can be especially effective in keeping your house warm.
Insulate your pipes
To make sure you don’t run into the problem of burst pipes in freezing temperatures, you should take the necessary precautions to insulate them wherever you can. This is also known as pipe lagging.
The insulation will minimise loss of heat through your pipes, ensuring that the water keeps flowing as it should to prevent a major boiler breakdown or a burst pipe.
If you do find that your boiler condensate pipe has frozen, you can pour warm water over it or apply heat gently until the frost has disappeared. Again, if you’re unsure about anything, always seek the advice of a professional to prevent further damage.
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