Money Saving Tips: Ways to Spend Less on Heating

Many of us are looking for ways to cut back our spending. Household bills can seem overwhelming. One major expense during the winter can be your heating bills, but you can cut back on the costs by following these tips.

1. Lower the thermostat.

I'm not saying that you should freeze. People with central heating tend to over-heat when it's cold outside. The ideal indoor temperature is 18 degrees Celsius (about 64 degrees Fahrenheit); this temperature is particularly recommended if you have small children. Don't heat your home any warmer than this. If you are still cold, put on another layer of clothes. If you don't have children or other people with vulnerable health, you can keep the temperature a degree or two cooler.

2. Compare energy providers.

Sometimes it does pay off to shop around. Look at what deals other companies have to offer. Plus, sometimes threatening to switch is enough to prompt your current electric or gas company to offer you a better deal.

3. Use your fireplace.

Obviously this only applies if you have a fireplace. If you do have a fireplace, make us of it. Fireplaces may be advertised as 'features' in modern houses, but they were originally designed to be functional. You can burn paper that you would otherwise throw away/recycle; lint makes a good fire starter. Look for cheap or free sources of firewood, such as old wooden pallets or fallen trees.

4. Eliminate draughts.

Draughts of cold air sneaking in around the windows and doors can significantly lower the temperature of your house. Use draught excluders at the bottom of exterior doors if necessary. Always close your curtains at night. If draughts are a real problem in your house, consider hanging a blanket over windows at night. You can quickly hang them from the curtain rail with clothes pegs, and it will help to keep your room snug.

5. Use the heat you have.

Take advantage of what extra heat you do have in your home. If you use your oven, leave the oven door open afterwards so that the heat radiates into the kitchen rather than dissipating into the oven and the wall behind it. This will help to heat your kitchen without using any extra power.

It can be expensive to keep your house warm during a cold winter, but it is possible to reduce your heating bills. These five tips should help you to get started.