UK households warned over five common heating mistakes that add hundreds to bills

A heating specialist has shared the commonly overlooked mistakes that are costing UK households hundreds of pounds in added bills.

If you are preparing to turn your heating on for the season, or if you’ve already succumbed, there are a few important rules that could save you moneyand energy this year.

According to a specialist from Heatforce, Ryan Willdig, there are five mistakes homeownersshould avoid if they want to save on heating costs.

READ MORE: DWP Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week begins for millions

READ MORE: A third Brits struggle with energy bills, yet many avoid seeking help

1. Overadjusting the thermostat

Ryan says cranking up the thermostat won’t necessarily heat your home any faster, despite what many homeowners may believe. Not only does this trick not heat your home any quicker, but wastes energy, which will show up on your bill.

“Each degree above 19-20 degrees Celsius can add a whopping 10% to your annual heating costs,” he claims.

2. Leaving the heating on all day

Ryan says that while there has been a lot of “misinformation” that leaving the heating on low all day is more cost-efficient than just using it when you need it, this isn’t necessarily true.

“In reality, it’s far more efficient and cost-effective to only use the heating when required,” he contends.

“As well as this, ensuring that radiatorsare off in any spare rooms is also key, but ensure that the doors for those rooms remain closed so that the heat isn’t going in there, and the cold air isn’t coming out.”

3. Blocking radiators

Ryan says that everyday items blocking your radiator can cause your heating system to work less efficiently. “Placing sofas, curtains, or even radiator covers in front of your radiators traps the heat behind them.

“It’ll force the systems to work that extra bit harder, increasing your bills, straining your boiler and producing heat that isn’t going to go anywhere.”

Homeowners should take care that their radiators do not have anything in front of them, including cosmetic covers. They need to be bare to ensure heat can circulate in the room effectively.

4. Neglecting boiler services

While annual boiler services may be a nuisance, Ryan confirms they are essential. “Skipping your annual boiler service means minor issues could go unnoticed, which could reduce its efficiency.”

If you’re overdue, he suggests booking a service in September to avoid any serious issues come winter.

5. Neglecting insulation

Poorly insulated homes allow heat to escape quickly, says Ryan, but there are some “simple and cheap fixes” that can help. Draught excluders and radiator reflectors can save money in the long-run and don’t take long to put in place.

“You can dedicate an hour or two on a weekend to ensuring all of your windows and walls have the right insulation in place,” he shares.