Overview
- BestHeating’s John Klee advises using timers so heating runs mainly around sunrise (about 7:30am) and after sunset (around 4pm), trimming daily hours from 12 to 6 to save up to £150.
- Klee recommends setting thermostats near 18C and testing a 1C reduction, which can shave about £80 or up to 10% off a gas bill.
- Bleeding radiators to remove trapped air restores heat distribution, with checks for cold spots at the top potentially lowering bills by around £130 a year.
- Keep radiators clear of furniture and dust to improve convection, and prioritise draught‑proofing using seal strips, excluders or rolled towels; a candle test can help locate leaks that may account for 10–20% of heat loss.
- Low‑cost add‑ons and upgrades include a boiler jacket (around £20, with savings of up to £200 claimed by a plumbing expert), pipe insulation, system power‑flushes for sludge and, for very old units, considering a modern condensing boiler.