Your energy bill will be quite hefty at the end of the month, and you are probably looking for ways to save money on it this year. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save money on your energy bills, from choosing the right kind of boiler to ensuring your home has sufficient insulation in all the right places. The following blog will walk you through how to save money on your energy bills this year, so you can rest easy knowing that your house is warm and comfortable while remaining fiscally responsible. With Origin, you can save money on your energy bills, so make sure to read over these helpful tips!
How Efficient Is Your Boiler?
The efficiency of your boiler depends upon a few factors. Remember these four questions if you want to save money on your energy bills:
1. How Old Is Your Boiler?
It is highly probable that your old boiler is less efficient than newer models and is costing you a lot of money over time.
2. Do You Have A Condensing Boiler?
A condensing boiler is much more efficient than standard efficiency boilers, which could lead to significant savings.
3. Do You Have Boiler Coverage?
Regardless of how attentive you are to keep up with your boiler maintenance, if your boiler breaks down you may be left without heating and hot water. And let’s be honest, that’s a huge headache for anyone. Investing in homeowner care plans and boiler coverage could save you a significant amount of money in the long run if you experience any costly repair issues.
4. When Was The Last Time You Serviced Your Boiler?
Getting an annual boiler service helps make sure that your boiler maintains maximum efficiency for a longer time.
The Most Efficient Type Of Boiler
Older boilers weren’t as efficient because they didn’t collect the wasted heat. Modern boilers are more efficient, with their biggest advantage being that they ‘condense’. They use more of the hot air leaving the stove, which makes them more efficient than the older kind.
Here are three types of boilers that run efficiently:
Heat-Only (Regular) boiler – They use hot water storage, which means you will have a water heater and a hot water storage tank. These are a good option for homes with larger amounts of plumbing.
Combi Boilers – Heats water when you need it, which is ideal for smaller homes. Combination boilers are very efficient and economical. The benefits of switching from a conventional boiler to a combi boiler include decreased heating bills.
System Boiler – A kind of boiler that is more intricate, meaning it takes up less space and you don’t need a cold water feed tank in the loft.
If you are thinking about getting your boiler replaced, contact Origin today and we can install, repair or service a boiler for you, and get the job done as soon as possible.
Top Tips To Save Money On Heating And Energy Bills
There are many steps that can be taken to make your home more energy-efficient. It’s also a good idea to maximize heat usage from an older boiler and to reduce waste. Saving money and energy isn’t hard. For example, if you time your heating carefully you’ll see significant changes. Specifically, you should time your heating when you’re out of the house. Doing so can prevent unnecessary energy use. Installing double glazing and wall insulation are some of the cheapest and easiest ways to conserve energy, which would save you more money. Some small hacks can do a lot of good, like keeping your radiators uncovered, which increases their heat output and therefore saves money.
Here are a few other things you can do to save money on your energy bills this year:
- Upgrade your old appliances (eg. boilers and thermostat)
- Air seal around windows, doors and fireplaces
- Turn off lights when not needed
- Seal any cracks in your walls
- Insulate your home properly
- Time your heating
- Choose which rooms to heat
- Don’t leave things plugged in when they aren’t being used
- Powerflush your radiators if there is a build-up of sludge in the radiator system
How Efficient Is Underfloor Heating?
When specified correctly and installed in a well-insulated building, underfloor heating is one of the most efficient ways to heat a home. Not only that, but it’s a modern amenity that a lot of people would expect to see in a contemporary property. That said, in a sense, it may have the ability to add value to your home–but there are a few stipulations to keep in mind before jumping headfirst into it.
Heat Efficient
When it comes to heating your home, underfloor heating utilizes radiant heat, whereas, radiators work by using convection to send warmth throughout the room. This process happens once the air, now warmed by the radiator, reaches the top of the room, and once it cools off, it falls downwards to be reheated by the radiator. In the end, this enables warm and cool air to flow throughout the space, while underfloor heating evenly delivers heat and results in great indoor comfort levels.
Low Energy Usage
The even distribution of heat throughout the room means that you’ll have no uncomfortable cold or hot spots; as long as the system is installed correctly, this even distribution is possible. To take an example, pipework must be laid at even, regular intervals. If it is not, then this is a red flag and something to watch out for when installing it.
Lower Running Costs In The Long Term
Installing underfloor heating costs more upfront but you save in the long run. As we already know, with underfloor heating the heat required to warm the home is less, saving money. Maximum savings will be delivered in thermally-efficient homes, as in these cases less heat is wasted by escaping the house.
If you are looking to get your boiler replaced or annually serviced to save costs and be more energy-efficient contact Origin today. We also do other services such as Powerflush and underfloor heating!
