Get Ahead for Winter 2024

What can homeowners do to plan ahead for winter heating?

Check your LPG levels

• If you are responsible for ordering LPG for your household, 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 are not 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 your heating systems 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 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, enabling it to do 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 simple and cost-effective way to prevent heat loss. Draught excluders and proofing solutions are available from most DIY retailers. 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 will dramatically cut heat loss from your home. You should also consider insulating your hot water tank by fitting it with a thick jacket as this can reduce heat loss by up to 75%. Check your local council and government website for insulation grants: Loft Insulation Grants UK 2023 | Free GOV Scheme (freeinsulationscheme.org.uk)

Use a programmer

• Use a programmer to set when the heating and hot water should operate based on 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 create 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 exterior pipes to avoid bursts during cold weather.

Where can homeowners look for help and support if they are struggling with the current cost of living crisis?

In the first instance, please talk to your current supplier who’ll be happy to discuss options going forward. For additional support, further information is available on the following websites:

Government websites:

Help with your energy bills – Cost of Living Support

Government Insulation Grants 2024 | Apply in Under 60 Secs (freeinsulationscheme.org.uk)

Citizens advice:

Your energy supply - Citizens Advice

Rural Services Network:

Home Page - Rural Services Network (rsnonline.org.uk)

Consumer advice:

Household Bills - MoneySavingExpert

Energy advice for your home - Energy Saving Trust