Energy consumption for heating and hot water requires more attention in the winter months and we have some tips to help maximize your home heating system’s efficiency. To start, you’ll want to both cut heating waste and optimise the performance of your boiler. First tip: If your boiler is more than 10 years old it’s time to replace it and upgrade the entire system with energy-efficient radiators equipped with individual thermostats. If you’re burdened with energy-hogging electric heaters, now is the time to replace them. Next, install timer controls to ensure that you heat only as much hot water as you need, when you need it. If your boiler controls or thermostat work remotely, you’ll be able to plan in advance of your arrival home. The addition of a chemical inhibitor to your radiator will ensure that water flows freely through the system, keeping radiators clean and efficient. This is is available as part of our Boiler Protection Pack

Underfloor heating

Another option is underfloor heating, but this can be an expensive choice, both to install and to operate. Because water circulating under the floor doesn’t need to get as hot as in a boiler this option is more efficient long term than radiators, but the installation costs alone make it difficult to recoup your investment. That said, the most wonderful quality of underfloor heating is that, even in the draftiest room, the floor and your toes will be warm and comfortable. Speaking of drafty rooms, fighting cold breezes indoors is a priority for everyone in cooler weather, so seek out and seal up every gap and leak you can find around your house. Windows and electrical outlets are notorious offenders and must be caulked, and weatherstripping fitted around doors. Hot water is another concern: If you never seem to run out of hot water, or if the water is too hot too quickly, you have undoubtedly set the boiler thermostat too high. You’ll want to reset that to between 110 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. All these easy and inexpensive tips together will measurably improve the quality of your winter life at home and save you up to 20% on your heating bill. Also, adding a full 12 inches of insulation to your attic will prevent heat loss and bring you significant savings along with increased comfort. Remember to check your furnace filter, too, and replace it every 3 months or whenever it’s visibly dirty. Many qualified contractors offer annual heating system tune-ups to keep your entire system operating at peak efficiency. Make sure that furniture and drapes, and dust and pet hair aren’t blocking your heating vents or clogging any dampers. A vacuum cleaner can accomplish everything here.

Ventilation and circulation of warmth

A ceiling fan will make a big difference in the circulation of warmth in almost any room. Because warm air rises, you’ll want to run the fan in a counter-clockwise direction to push warm air toward the ceiling and down the walls. You’ll find many attractive fan options on the market. Not to be forgotten in our focus on energy consumption is sun power. Let the sunshine into your south-facing windows every day and cover with drapes at night. A ceiling fan will help make the most of this natural warmth. And don’t forget that most simple of money-saving tips - adjust your thermostat. If you set your manual or programmable unit for 68 degrees during waking hours and lower at night, this alone may save as much as 10% on your energy bill over a year. Save money with Mr Central Heating and view our range of Heating Controls and Control Packs from brands such as Nest, Drayton, Honeywell, Salus and more.