Heating skilled shares 4pm rule that might save households £150 on payments
A heating expert has shared how timing your heating around sunset could slash your energy bills by hundreds of pounds
A heating specialist has revealed a simple method to slash your energy bills. John Klee, heating and technology expert at heating appliance supplier BestHeating, stressed the crucial role of both timing and temperature controls when managing your heating system.
His guidance comes after a recent company survey discovered that 32 per cent of UK households argue over when to turn the heating on. When temperatures plummet, it might appear logical to have your radiators blasting at full power for most of the day, but this approach could needlessly inflate your energy bills.
John Klee, heating and technology expert with the firm, explained: “When it is only 2C outside you will want the heating on all day, but if it’s around 10C, target the morning and evening when the sun isn’t out to feel true effects.”
During this period of the year, sunrise occurs at approximately 7.30am while sunset currently happens around 4pm, reports Wales Online. These times shift gradually each day.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that daylight hours will soon start extending again, with the Winter Solstice now less than a month away. This year’s shortest day will fall on Sunday, December 21. Mr Klee outlined how limiting your heating usage periods in this manner can produce significant savings.
He said: “Save money by ensuring your heating is on a timer so it is only used for a few hours per day. By cutting usage from 12 hours to 6, you could save up to £150.”
He continued by explaining that tweaking your thermostat is another simple method to cut heating expenses.
He explained: “Research proves that we put our heating on too high of a temperature over the colder months so there is an easy saving to be made. Too many of us set the heating to 20C or more, but 18C should be comfortable enough.
“Turn the thermostat down by one degree centigrade to see how you feel and by doing this you can save around £80 or up to 10 percent on a gas bill.”
This is also the perfect time to bleed your radiators. Removing trapped air boosts your radiator’s efficiency, which will cut your heating costs. The potential savings here are also substantial.
Mr Klee explained: “Check for cold spots at the top of a radiator to allow hot water to circulate freely which can lower bills by around £130 a year.”
He also cautioned against placing large furniture directly in front of radiators, as this prevents warm air from circulating properly.
The specialist said: “Blocking radiators with appliances such as a sofa, armchair or table, will make a room feel colder and means a boiler has to work harder. Leave at least 20cm to better distribute heat.
“Think about redesigning your rooms for winter to get the most out of heating, and if your radiators look ugly, then upgrade to designer radiators to improve the aesthetic.”
