With energy prices remaining a concern for many UK households, knowing how to heat a house for cheap can make a real difference to your bills. This guide covers practical, low-cost ways to keep your home warm without overhauling your entire heating system.
Start With Your Thermostat
Turning your thermostat down by just one degree can noticeably reduce heating costs over a full winter, according to guidance from the Energy Saving Trust. Using a programmer to heat your home only when needed, rather than constantly, adds further savings without sacrificing comfort.
Stop Heat Escaping First
- Draught-proof windows and doors with simple, inexpensive strips
- Use thermal curtains or thicker curtains to reduce heat loss through windows
- Check and top up loft insulation, since heat rises and escapes easily through an under-insulated roof
- Bleed radiators regularly so they heat evenly and efficiently
Use Heating Zones Wisely
Closing doors to unused rooms, and turning down radiators in spaces you’re not using, focuses heat where it’s actually needed rather than warming the whole house evenly. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) make this easy to manage room by room.
Layer Up Before Turning Up the Heat
Simple as it sounds, wearing warmer layers and using throws or blankets in the evening reduces how much you need to rely on the heating system, particularly during milder autumn and spring evenings.
Keep Your System Well Maintained
A poorly maintained boiler works harder than necessary, using more fuel for the same output. Annual servicing, whether by a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas systems or an OFTEC-registered engineer for oil central heating, keeps efficiency up over time.
Consider Smart Heating Controls
Smart thermostats and zone controls can reduce waste by learning your routine and heating only when and where needed. Our smart boilers guide looks at whether this kind of upgrade is worth the investment.
Check for Available Support
Various UK government schemes offer support with insulation or heating upgrades for eligible households. It’s worth checking current eligibility via GOV.UK, since support changes periodically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning the thermostat down really save much money?
Yes, even a small reduction of one degree can lead to a noticeable saving over a full heating season.
Is it cheaper to leave heating on low all day?
For most well-insulated homes, heating only when needed tends to cost less than leaving the system running continuously at a low setting.
What’s the cheapest quick fix for a cold home?
Draught-proofing windows and doors is usually the most cost-effective, fastest improvement most households can make.
