Heating: These Simple Tips to Lower your Bill and Save Money

Heating is the biggest expense in a home. Heating is expensive. Here are some “tips” to significantly reduce your bill.

Heating your home can be one of your largest household expenses—but small changes can make a big difference. Follow these simple tips to reduce your energy bills while keeping your home cozy.

To reduce your heating bill, you first need to use common sense. In a home, in cold weather, you must start by tracking down drafts to keep the heat inside. Bottom of doors, outline of windows, there are all kinds of door beads and other seals to compensate for hot air leaks.

1. Stop Heat from Escaping: Seal Drafts and Gaps

To reduce your heating bill, you first need to use common sense. In a home, in cold weather, you must start by tracking down drafts to keep the heat inside. Drafty doors and windows can make your heating system work overtime. Use door sweeps, weatherstrips, or foam seals to block leaks.

Don’t forget your hot water pipes—insulating them can save up to 3% on your heating costs. Every small step counts when it comes to retaining heat.

2. Insulate Your Home Efficiently

Carpets, curtains, and blinds aren’t just decorative—they help trap heat and keep rooms warm. Consider putting plastic film on single-glazed windows while planning for high-performance double glazing in the future. Insulating walls and floors, even partially, can make a noticeable difference. Proper insulation helps reduce heat loss and lower energy bills.

3. Set the Right Temperature

Following recommended heating temperatures is key:

Living rooms: 19°C
Bathrooms (when in use): 21°C
Bedrooms: 16–17°C

Reducing your thermostat by just 1°C can cut your bill by around 7%, according to Ademe (Ecological Transition Agency).

4. Maintain Your Heating System

A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. Dust electric radiators, service your boiler, and have ducts swept at least once a year (mandatory in some areas). Proper maintenance can reduce heating costs by up to 12%.

5. Ventilate Smartly and Declutter Around Radiators

It may sound counterintuitive, but ventilating your home is essential. Proper air circulation removes humidity, which is harder to heat. Open windows for 10 minutes a day, but remember to turn off radiators first.

Keep radiators clear of furniture and curtains to allow heat to circulate freely. Close shutters or blinds at night to retain warmth—this can save around 2% on heating. For sunlit rooms, let the natural sunlight in during the day to naturally heat your space.

6. Use Heating Only When Needed

Smart thermostats let you schedule heating times. Avoid heating unused rooms and if you are going away for a break or holiday, then don’t forget to turn off water heaters when away. Choosing a quick shower over a bath will save not just the water bill but also save on hot water. Here is the checklist:

Use thermostats to schedule heating only when needed.
Avoid heating unused rooms.
Turn off water heaters when away and opt for quick showers instead of baths to reduce hot water usage.

7. Simple Tricks for Extra Warmth

Sometimes the easiest ways to save are also the cheapest. Wearing warm sweaters, using throws, or adding extra blankets can reduce the need to turn up the heat.

Heating doesn’t have to drain your budget. By sealing drafts, insulating properly, maintaining your system, and adopting smarter daily habits, you can reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort. Even small changes—like lowering the thermostat by just one degree, clearing radiators, or taking shorter showers—add up to real savings over the winter. Combine these strategies, and you’ll not only lower your bills but also make your home warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient.