Expert Budget Heating Tips to Slash Energy Bills This Winter
As parts of the UK experience persistent rainfall throughout 2026, many Britons continue to grapple with the challenge of staying warm without facing exorbitant energy costs. Maintaining comfort during the colder months remains a priority, yet achieving this without financial strain requires smart strategies.
"People rely on their heating more at this time of year, so we want to help households manage their heating effectively, keeping costs down while staying warm," explains Joanna O’Loan, knowledge manager at the Energy Saving Trust.
Sam Jump, head of business development at underfloor heating specialist the Wunda Group, adds: "During a cold snap, there are several simple ways that homeowners can cut down energy usage to save money on their heating bills without switching the heating off. The single most effective way of making your heating work more efficiently is to identify and address areas of heat loss."
Practical Strategies for Efficient Home Heating
Here are the experts’ detailed recommendations for keeping warm at the lowest possible cost, expanded with additional insights for maximum impact.
1. Optimise Heating Schedules
Contrary to popular belief, keeping the heating on all day can be wasteful. For boilers, use a programmer and thermostat to schedule heating to come on about 30 minutes before you wake up and switch off about 30 minutes before bedtime, advises O’Loan.
"If you’re out during the day, turn the heating off while nobody’s home," she says. "But there isn’t a set number of hours your heating should be on each day, because the most efficient way to heat your home depends on your heating system, home insulation, and daily routine."
2. Set the Correct Thermostat Temperature
For most households, setting the thermostat between 18°C and 21°C is comfortable, says O’Loan. However, she notes that if you have a heat pump, the advice differs, as these systems work best by maintaining a steady temperature consistently.
3. Avoid Unnecessary Thermostat Adjustments
It may be tempting to turn the heating up a few degrees during a cold snap, but it’s not necessary, stresses O’Loan.
"You don’t need to turn the thermostat up when it’s colder outside," she explains. "Your home will still reach the same temperature – it may just take a little longer, but turning it up won’t make it heat any faster."
Ensure the thermostat has a clear flow of air and isn’t blocked by curtains or furniture, or placed too near a radiator. Jump suggests reducing the boiler temperature slightly.
"Our boilers are often set to maximum, but you can still achieve a comfortable temperature from your radiators without spending as much on the boiler temperature. You’re highly unlikely to notice the slight change yet it can make a considerable difference on bills."
4. Address Heat Loss Through Windows and Doors
Homes lose 10-20 per cent of their heat through windows and external doors, says Jump. Installing energy-efficient glazing and high thermal performance doors is one of the best long-term solutions to reduce heat loss and cut bills.
A more affordable and immediate solution is to keep curtains closed to help retain heat lost through windows and doorways throughout the night, and even during the day in unused rooms.
"Investing in heavy or thermal-lined curtains will yield the best results," he says, noting that a heavy curtain across the front door is a great option to prevent heat from escaping.
5. Seal Keyholes and Letterboxes
One often-overlooked area of heat loss is through keyholes and letterboxes. Jump recommends using a fridge magnet over a keyhole to block it as a clever trick to prevent heat loss.
"Audit and seal any gaps where even the slightest draught could be creeping through, and keep both internal and external doors closed, or better yet, invest in an external letterbox and some draught excluders," he suggests.
6. Protect Pipes During Absences
While it might seem economical to switch off heating when away, if the temperature outside is very cold, pipes could freeze and burst, potentially costing thousands in repairs.
"If you’ll be away for a while, protect pipes from frost," O’Loan advises. "Most controls have a frost protection setting, so just check it’s on. If not, set the thermostat to around 13°C so heating kicks in if it gets very cold. It might cost a little in energy, but far less than repairing burst pipes."
7. Adjust Radiators in Unused Rooms
O’Loan says radiators should be turned down, but not fully off, in any unused rooms in the house. "This will help reduce damp and keeps your heating system running efficiently," she explains.
Homes with a heat pump may benefit from having radiators all open to maintain good efficiency, she adds.
8. Upgrade to an Efficient Boiler
The most efficient boilers are rated A on the energy efficiency scale, which goes from A–G. O’Loan says an A rating means the boiler converts more than 90 per cent of fuel into heat for your home. "Older boilers often fall into lower bands like D or E, which waste more energy and cost more to run," she says.
The average cost for a new gas boiler is around £3,700 installed, depending on the model and complexity. She advises working with a good installer to set it up correctly and adjust flow temperatures for optimal efficiency.
For those considering eco-friendly options, heat pumps can significantly reduce emissions compared to gas boilers, though they have higher upfront costs (usually £7,000–£12,000). Grants are available to help reduce these costs.
