How to Reduce Heating Bills in Winter

Boiler and Thermostat Optimisation

1. Service your boiler annually. A well-maintained boiler runs more efficiently and is less likely to waste fuel. Get a Gas Safe (or equivalent) engineer to check it each year: they'll clean key parts, check pressures and flue, and spot issues before they hit your wallet or safety.

2. Turn down the flow temperature. Many boilers are set to 70–75 °C for heating. If you have a condensing boiler, running at 60–65 °C (or lower if your radiators can cope) lets it condense more and use less gas. Try lowering by a few degrees; if the house still warms up comfortably, leave it there.

3. Set the room thermostat wisely. Each degree you lower the thermostat can save a few percent on heating use. Aim for 18–19 °C when you're at home and awake; many people set 15–17 °C when out or at night. Avoid cranking the thermostat up to "heat the room faster"—it only heats to the same temperature and can waste energy.

Insulation Improvements

4. Top up loft insulation. Heat rises, and an under-insulated loft is one of the biggest sources of loss. In the UK, 270 mm (or more) of loft insulation is recommended. If you have less, topping up is often a low-cost, high-impact improvement. Same idea applies elsewhere: the better the roof and walls hold heat, the less you need to run the heating.

5. Consider cavity or solid wall insulation. If your home has unfilled cavity walls, cavity wall insulation can cut heat loss significantly. Solid-wall homes can be insulated internally or externally—more disruptive and costly, but the savings over time can be substantial. Get a few quotes and check for any grants or schemes in your area.

Draught Proofing

6. Seal gaps and draughts. Draughts from doors, windows, letterboxes, and loft hatches let cold air in and warm air out. Use draught excluders on external doors, seal gaps around window frames and skirting with appropriate tape or sealant, and fit a letterbox brush or cover. Don't block intentional ventilation (e.g. trickle vents in rooms with combustion appliances or in very airtight homes)—balance comfort with safety.

Smart Thermostats

7. Use a smart or programmable thermostat. A thermostat that lets you set different temperatures by time of day and day of week avoids heating an empty house. Smart thermostats can learn your routine, allow remote control, and some integrate with weather or occupancy. Even a simple programmable thermostat set to lower the temperature when you're out or asleep can trim 5–15% off heating use if you currently leave the heating on at a constant level.

Radiator Maintenance

8. Bleed radiators and balance the system. Air trapped in radiators stops them heating evenly and forces the boiler to work harder. Bleed each radiator until no more air comes out and the water runs steadily. If some radiators get hot and others stay cool, the system may need balancing—adjusting the lockshield valves so flow is distributed properly. Your engineer can do this at the next service. Also keep radiators clear of furniture and long curtains so heat can circulate.

Hot Water Cylinder Settings

9. Set the cylinder thermostat to 60 °C. If you have a hot water cylinder (system or regular boiler), the cylinder thermostat controls how hot the stored water gets. 60 °C is usually enough for taps and showers and helps limit the growth of legionella. Higher settings waste energy; much lower may not be safe. If you have a combi boiler, you'll have a dial for hot water temperature—again, 55–60 °C is typically sufficient.

10. Time hot water to match use. If your cylinder is on a timer, set it so water is heated only when you need it (e.g. morning and evening), rather than 24/7. That cuts standby losses and avoids reheating water that sits unused for hours.

Next Steps

Start with the quick wins: thermostat setting, draught proofing, and bleeding radiators. Then plan an annual service, look into loft and cavity insulation, and consider a smart or programmable thermostat. Adjust cylinder and boiler flow temperatures with care, and use our boiler size calculator when you're replacing your boiler so you don't over- or under-size. Small changes add up—you can cut your winter heating bills without turning the heating off.