Overview
- Octopus Energy urges DIY draught-proofing with foam strips costing from 99p, citing an average £80 yearly saving by plugging gaps around doors, windows and loft hatches.
- Consumer group Which? reports electric throws warm one person for about 2p an hour, compared with roughly 37p an hour for an electric radiator, offering a low-cost alternative to whole-home heating.
- Roofing and insulation specialists say upgrading loft insulation and air-sealing can cut heating costs by about 20–30%, with typical installs around £900 and annual savings of £200–£300.
- For homes with unused fireplaces, chimney balloons priced around £20–£30 can block flues and are reported to save up to roughly 10–15% on heating.
- Control and maintenance tips include using timers so heat comes on only when you’re home, lowering the thermostat (an example estimate suggests about £270 a year saved dropping from 21°C to 18°C), bleeding radiators, and adding reflective radiator panels or thermal curtains to reduce heat loss.