14 Tips for a Lower Heating Bill

The recent UK energy crisis coupled with our shift to working from home has left us keen to understand how to save on heating bills. The news of energy prices hitting an all-time high is understandably stressful, so we’re here to give you a greater sense of control and offer our best advice for lowering your heating bill.

How to Lower Your Heating Bill

1. Bulk buy heating oil

More often than not, buying heating oil in bulk is an effective way to save on heating bills. If you bulk buy when prices are low or stable, you can worry less about sudden price spikes or issues with global supply. The best time to buy heating oil is usually summer, when demand is generally low, but bear in mind that there are a multitude of factors other than climate that can impact heating oil prices.

In July 2020, heating oil prices hit a five-year low. According to Which?, heating oil prices were only 25p per litre between May and July 2020. The Coronavirus pandemic played a significant role in this price plummet. As lockdowns were imposed across the world, traffic slowed to a halt and businesses shut down, causing the global demand for fuel to fall. In hindsight, this would have been an excellent time to bulk buy heating oil as it can last for up to 24 months! 

2. Join a community oil buying scheme

You could lower your heating bill significantly by bulk buying oil as part of a community oil buying scheme. Clubbing together with others in your neighbourhood or even joining a heating oil club is a popular solution for minimising deliveries (and therefore delivery costs) and taking advantage of lower prices.

3. Monitor heating oil prices

There are many factors that can affect the price of heating oil, from weather to politics to a global pandemic. Heating oil prices fluctuate, so it’s good practice to monitor the news so you can buy at the right time, especially if you’re bulk buying.

4. Install an energy efficient boiler

An energy-efficient oil boiler could be the ideal way to ensure that you don’t end up paying prices that stretch beyond your budget. The additional incentive for taking this measure is that you’ll also conserve energy and save on heating bills in the long term, offering a dual purpose appeal that more and more people are starting to consider.

5. Turn your heating off when possible

In the UK, we can experience warm weather from April to October (if we’re lucky!), so keep on top of the weather forecast and adjust your heating accordingly. If you can, consider turning your heating off altogether on warmer days. Or, you can always adjust your central heating timer to only come on as you wake up and get ready for bed. Either way, this is a simple way to reduce heating bills throughout the year.  

6. Turn your thermostat down

Turning down your thermostat by one degree can help you lower your heating bill significantly without compromising comfort. Most of us wouldn’t even notice a one degree difference in temperature, so this is a great initial step to take to save some money on bills. Obviously, don’t make any drastic changes and sacrifice your health and comfort, but a one degree shift should hardly feel different.

7. Have your boiler serviced

When was the last time you had your boiler serviced? Getting your boiler checked regularly is important for efficiency and safety. Proper maintenance can improve the efficiency of your boiler, which in turn, should noticeably lower your heating bills. It’s wise to get your boiler checked out before the colder months arrive so you can maximise efficiency, however the team at Rix are available to assist you all year-round.

8. Understand your heating system

Every house, every heating system, and every set of dials is different. So, it’s definitely worth taking the time to understand your heating system and how it functions fully. For example, you can learn how long it takes to heat up a specific room. With this knowledge, you can utilise your fuel more efficiently and not leave your heating on for any longer than is necessary.  

9. Wrap up warm

Keeping yourself bundled up at home is a simple way to minimize the amount of time you use your heating. Thick socks, a fluffy dressing gown and layers are the way to go! Plus, if you’re catching up on some Netflix, wrap up in a plush throw or blanket to keep yourself warm and comfortable.

10. Enjoy a hot drink or meal

There’s nothing better on a cold evening than a hot drink or a warm comforting meal. Not only can a hot meal leave you feeling warmer on the inside, but the process of cooking can warm you up from the outside too! The heat from your oven will inject some hot air into your kitchen, providing you warmth whilst you make and enjoy your tea.  

11. Keep moving

One of the best ways to resist the urge to whack on the heating is to get moving! A quick home workout or giving the house a hoover can get your blood pumping and body temperature rising. Plus, you’re killing two birds with one stone!

12. Heat by room

It’s unlikely that you’ll need every room in the house to be kept warm while your heating is on. For example, if you have a guest bedroom, turn down your radiator valve when no one is using this space. Likewise, if you have a home office, you can switch the radiator off during the evening and night. This will help you lower your heating bill and reduce fuel waste.

13. Invest in draught-proofing

Draught-proofing is an inexpensive solution to better insulate your home, helping you save on heating bills. There are many draught-proofing solutions, including draught-proofing adhesive strips and hinged flap draught excluders, that could help you. Plus, many of these options are ideal for renters who can’t invest in more permanent insulation solutions.

Areas that may need draught-proofing in your property include:

- Windows

- Doors (including letterbox and keyhole)

- Floors

- Chimneys

- Attic hatches

- Around pipework

Bear in mind that you should not block any sources of deliberate ventilation, such as extractor fans or trickle vents.

14. Keep your curtains shut

Shutting your curtains is a quick and easy way to reduce the amount of warm air escaping from your home. During the day, keep the curtains shut in the room you’re not using, or keep all of your curtains closed if you’re heading out.

We know that energy prices have soared this autumn, but we hope these tips can help you save money on your heating bill this winter.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the best prices we can offer for domestic heating oil, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the friendly Rix team.