Does it feel like your heating bills are eating through your monthly budget? Unfortunately, this may not be your imagination. It could be very real as heating and energy now can cost up to 10% of a household’s total expenditure in the UK. This is a huge chunk of your income disappearing just to keep you warm.
The problem is that it isn’t negotiable. You can’t stop heating your home the way you’d stop buying takeaways or new clothes. This isn’t sustainable. If you cut down on heating, you may be saving money, but you get cold, and it affects your health. If you keep it on, you may go over budget. It’s a lose-lose situation, especially as costs keep creeping up year after year.
So how do you cope with heating costs? In reality, there are some practical and manageable steps you can take to control your heating costs. Ultimately, you can’t freeze your way to financial security. Here’s how to heat your home without burning through your savings.
Coping with Energy Costs
If your house can’t hold onto the heat it’s supposed to, you’re basically throwing cash out of the window.
Start by taking a closer look at your insulation situation. Simple fixes around your windows, such as adding some draught excluders and thermal curtains, or sealing up any gaps, can make a real difference. You may also consider things like reflective radiator panels behind your radiators or even topping up the loft insulation, as these can truly help your house stay warmer for less.
Have you thought about going digital? Smart heating controls are much better than old controls as they can pinpoint exactly when and how to heat your spaces. This means you’re not blasting the whole house at once when you need to heat only a few rooms. Over time, that really can help save on your heating bills.
Coping with Boiler Replacement
How long does a boiler last on average? Typically, you should look into replacing your boiler every 01 to 15 years. Over time, boilers tend to become less energy-efficient, and they also develop faults.
Unfortunately, while replacing your boiler could help reduce your energy bills, it is also a significant investment that most households are not ready to make. Ultimately, this is why you want to look into suitable options for financing a new boiler, as this can make it more accessible. There’s no secret here: a modern device will always heat more efficiently.
Coping with Boiler Repairs
Even a recent boiler can break down when you least expect it. The problem is that managing repair costs can rapidly become expensive if you don’t have insurance repair cover. Some policies include boiler repairs and emergency engineer visits, which takes a huge amount of financial pressure off your shoulders. This is protection worth paying for, especially as you don’t want to keep on paying more than you should on repairs.
Bear in mind, though, that if your boiler breaks down too frequently, this is a sign that you need to look into replacing it. But faults such as a damaged valve causing it to misfire or so are relatively minor and also fairly common, for example. Not all repair needs are a call for boiler replacement!
Ultimately, heating your home comes at a cost, but with the right approach you can find ways to keep this cost as low as possible this winter.
