Get Ahead for Winter 2022

Check your LPG levels

• If you order LPG yourself, check your tank levels now and consider ordering from your supplier as soon as possible. Going into winter with a full tank will be more cost effective, provide peace of mind and it means that when it turns cold you needn’t worry about your energy supply.

Check if you are on an automatic top up system with your LPG supplier

• You may already be on an automatic top up system, which means your LPG will be ordered automatically when you get to a certain tank level. If you aren’t on this system, we would highly recommend checking with your supplier as to whether this service is available to you.

Give your boiler a service

• Make sure your boiler and any other gas appliances are serviced every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This ensures that they run at their most efficient and are kept in tip-top condition. Consider speaking with neighbours who may also require a service, to share some of the cost of a service call out.

Bleed your radiators

• Bleed your radiators to release any air that is trapped in them. This will improve your heating efficiency instantly as hot water can flow into every part of the radiator, so it does a better job of warming your room. There are a number of videos available online which show you how to do this.

Draft-proof your home

• Draughty external doors are responsible for 15% of heat loss in the home. Draft-proofing can be a cost effective and easy way to prevent heat loss. Hanging thick curtains over the door will also help to trap heat inside. Close all the curtains as soon as it gets dark to prevent heat escaping through windows.

Insulate

• Loft insulation is a straightforward job which will dramatically cut the heat loss from your home. Also insulate your hot water tank by fitting it with a thick jacket – the thicker the better – this can reduce heat loss by up to 75%. Check your local council and government website for grant opportunities: Government Insulation Grants 2022 | Apply in Under 60 Secs (freeinsulationscheme.org.uk)

Use a programmer

• Use a programmer to set when the heating and hot water come on and go off based around your routine. By heating your home and hot water only when necessary, you'll save energy and money.

Lower your thermostat

• Lowering your thermostat setting by just 1°C could save efficiencies, however, ensure that a minimum temperature is maintained of 21°C in living rooms and 18°C in bedrooms.

Check your pipes

• Check all pipework to ensure that there are no leaks, fix any drips and lag pipes to avoid bursts.