Space heating could be enormously energy hungry. Paying attention to how you heat your home could therefore save you money. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your heating system.  

If you have central heating ensure that all your pipes are insulated, your room thermostat is set to the correct temperature (around 21⁰C), your thermostatic valves are turned off in the unused rooms and your timer and programmer are set to the correct time (don’t forget to change it when the summer time changes to winter time) and the correct cycle. Install shelves above radiators; tack curtains behind or shorten them just above the radiator and don’t block radiators with your furniture.

When you boiler gets 15 years or older consider replacement, as newer boilers work with greater efficiency (they convert more energy into useful heat). To help you with replacement, contact your energy supplier who may have some incentives or join the Boiler Scrappage Scheme.

If you have electric or gas fire use it sparingly as it is expensive to run and is not very efficient.

If you can, consider the installation of underfloor heating as it is a very efficient method of space heating. Its effectiveness could be increased by combining underfloor heating with the use of ground source heat pump.

Ensure that all the unnecessary and unwanted draughts are blocked. This includes unused chimneys, draughty windows, letterboxes and under door gaps. As a rule of thumb, where you can see light, cold air can enter and warm air escape. However, don’t forget to allow adequate and necessary ventilation.

For more information on heating and any other energy or water and waste related issues visit the Energy Saving Trust.

We have all used flasks at some point in our lives. Normally we fill them up with hot liquid like coffee when going on a long journey. After hours the coffee is still warm. Have you tried putting in something cold like squash or even an ice-cream? It works just as well. The flask works on the same principle as your house insulation. It keeps the heat in and the cold out in the winter but it also helps to keep the cool in and the heat out in the middle of the summer. So, insulating your home is not just good to the environment but also helps to keep you comfortable in your own home. The biggest areas of your home exposed to the elements are the walls. It therefore stands to reason that biggest savings can be achieved by insulating walls, whether cavity or solid. The next large area is the loft, so insulate it well. Similarly, floors represent a large area where cold air can enter into your house and allow hot air to escape. Now the large areas are sorted, you can concentrate on the smaller things, such as draught proofing, tank and pipes insulation and addressing your draughty windows. The EST’s energy calculator helps putting these tasks into financial and carbon dioxide savings perspective.

Three Rivers Programmes

Three Rivers supports an insulation scheme that offers cavity wall and loft insulation. The scheme is administered by the Herts Essex Energy Partnership. For further information and to book an appointment please ring 0800 9806026.

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you may be eligible for the Government grant Warm Front which provides grants toward insulation and heating upgrades.