by Tim Harry

Created on: June 20, 2010   Last Updated: December 01, 2011

Keeping the home warm is now more expensive than it has ever been. Energy prices are increasing year on year, and as a result annual heating costs are also going up. There are ways to save on heating costs, some of which can be put in place immediately, whilst others take a bit of time and perhaps some monetary outlay initially.

Some of the most effective ways to save on heating costs is to look at insulating the home. Anywhere up to 30% of the home’s heat can dissipate through the roof, but installing good quality insulation to a depth of 20cm will prevent this wastage. Simply installing loft insulation could save on heating costs of about 20%. Loft insulation can be brought from all home improvement stores, and there are often offers on insulation rolls. Installing loft insulation is something that pretty much anyone can do, and in essence simply involves rolling out the insulation between the joists. Any cost outlay is likely to be repaid in heating cost savings within three years.

Many older houses may also be in need of cavity wall insulation, and although more expensive than simple loft insulation, government grants are often available to the homeowner. The walls of a detached property could allow for as much as 60% heat loss, and although it will require professionals to install, cavity wall insulation could save 35% on home heating bills, with payback in four years.

There are other areas of the home where heat is lost from the home, with lots of heat lost from windows and doors. The most basic way to save on heating costs is to stop heat loss from these areas, something which can often be done with simple draught proofing. Available in strips and foam, draught proofing will ensure that money is not being spent on heating that simple drifts out into the wider world. Heavy curtains can also help in insulating windows.

Double glazing is now present in a large number of homes, but if the home’s windows have not been upgraded, then again it is something that should be considered to cut down on loss of heat from the home. Double glazing is an effective way to save on home heating costs, although the outlay is high, and will not be repaid for ten or more years.

Ensuring that heat is not unnecessarily lost from the home is only one element of saving on heating costs, and within the home controlling levels of heating is also important. Probably the first thing to consider is whether the heating should even be on. Being warm on the coldest day of

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>