UK winters brings chilly winds and frosty mornings, and that usually means sky-high heating bills – but it doesn’t have to be that way. With some simple adjustments, you can keep your home warm and cosy without breaking the bank.
Angela Kerr has 15 years of experience in central government, working in a range of areas from European environment negotiations to leading a review of Building Control, ensuring buildings are compliant with government regulations.
As Director and Editor at the HomeOwners Alliance, Angela wants to empower readers with information and expert insight so they can confidently engage professionals, save money and have a more fulfilling home owning experience.
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, you’re not alone. Across the UK, people are feeling the squeeze thanks to the high average cost of heating a home.
Luckily, experts from various fields – plumbers, heating engineers, and insulation installers, to name a few – have tips and tricks to drastically cut the money you spend on heating your home, both during winter and the rest of the year.
While some of these tips need an upfront investment, much of the advice is simply about changing how you behave. This can be hard at first, but eventually you’ll build more efficient habits that leave you with more money every month.
Yes, cutting your heating and hot water costs is possible without spending a fortune!

To make your home a lean, mean, cost-cutting machine, you’ll need to think about all the different elements that affect its efficiency.
Your heating system might need some work but there are other aspects you’ll have to consider. Like when you’re trying to cut your electric bills, you’ll need to think about all of your property.
Let’s check out the most effective ways to cut your heating costs.
1. Check your heating system
Sitting at the heart of your home, your heating system warms your property when temperatures drop and teeth start chattering. For this reason, you need to do everything you can to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible.
Whether you have gas or electric heating, begin by booking a maintenance check-up with a qualified heating engineer. They can inspect your setup and uncover any present or emerging issues. They’ll also clean filters and perform necessary repairs.
This doesn’t just help with efficiency but limits the likelihood of breakdowns occurring. Having a cost-effective heating system isn’t worthwhile if it stops working and costs you more in repairs, after all.
Reminding us, Angela adds that “It’s always advisable to get your boiler serviced in the summertime, ahead of the winter months. Make this a regular occurrence. Also, once per month make sure to check your boiler pressure for any issues.”
Servicing your boiler might seem like an annoying expense, but it could save you quite a bit of cash later on. Get a sense of what you'll need to pay by checking out our boiler service cost guide.
For a more in-depth look at what to consider, check out these winter heating tips and tricks from plumbing expert David Doran.
2. Consider a smart thermostat
Choosing to install thermostatic radiator valves is always a good decision, but why not step things up a notch?
As with conventional thermostats, smart thermostats allow you to set up regular heating schedules. The difference is that it’s much easier to manage straight from your smartphone.
You can turn your heating on remotely, allowing you to boost the heat when you’re coming home. Or you can turn it off remotely, which is ideal for when you’re out longer than expected.
In general, using your thermostat like this is more flexible, and helps you use your heating system at the right times.
Ultimately, this limits energy waste in a way that simply isn’t possible with traditional thermostats and heating setups.
Need help installing a thermostat? Check out our guide on how to connect wireless thermostats now.
3. Reduce your boiler’s heating flow temperature
If a combi boiler powers your heating, reducing its heating flow temperature can save you some cash. Now, what is the heating flow temperature? It’s the temperature your boiler heats water to before sending it through the pipes to your radiators.
Generally, people set this temperature too high for most combi boilers, limiting the efficiency of their heating systems. A significant reduction – like from 80 to 60 degrees Celsius – could result in a three-figure saving each year.
Of course, this tip is only suitable if you have a combi boiler. Reducing heating flow temperature isn’t always the right call, either. To make sure you’re getting the optimal outcome, ask for advice from your local heating engineer.
Angela says “Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree could cut your heating bills by up to 10%, making it one of our top energy-saving tips in the home.”
4. Bleed your radiators
Trapped air in your radiators stops hot water from circulating throughout your home properly. In these situations, you’re still paying to heat and circulate water, it’s just not working as intended! You’ll notice this because radiators are cold at the top and warmer as you go down.
When this happens, the solution is bleeding your radiators. Grab a radiator key (screwdrivers work for some modern radiators) and a rag to catch any stray water droplets.
Simply turn your heating off and wait for your radiators to cool down. Then turn the radiator valve – usually located at the top of radiators – until you hear a hissing sound. That’s the trapped air escaping. Once the hissing stops and water starts flowing, close the radiator valve.
If you need more help with this process, you can follow our guide on how to bleed radiators.
Angela explains that “Bleeding your radiators is very important. But it’s also very easy to do."
When you find bleeding your radiators isn't having the desired effect, you do have other options. You might need to pay for a powerflush of your heating system.
This strategy gets the gunk and other contaminants out of your central heating system. You can learn about what you'll need to pay for this service with our guide on heating and radiator flushing costs.

5. Draughtproof your home
Every year, people spend thousands of pounds heating their homes – yet many let heat escape from those homes without realising it. In those situations, you might as well throw money straight down the drain.
You can easily improve your property’s efficiency by plugging the gaps to better conserve heat. Many homes lose heat through the gaps around external doors and letterboxes.
Draught excluders will drastically reduce the heat loss in those spaces, but heavier towels and blankets also work in a pinch. This helps to keep the ambient temperature in your home up, and you’ll stop feeling those draughty chills as a bonus.
Angela explains "Professional draught proofing of windows, doors, blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £250. But can save around £45 a year on energy bills."
6. Install comprehensive insulation
Draughtproofing your home is a great start for keeping the heat in, but it’s just that – a start. What you need is quality insulation fitted throughout the property.
The most efficient homes have attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, and even underfloor insulation. The bigger the barrier, the smaller your heating bills.
You probably won’t know where you need insulation installed in your home (unless you’ve had a recent EPC issued). For a better idea of how to improve things, arranging an energy performance assessment is the right call.
Once you know how you’re falling short, you can hire an insulation installer who can improve your situation. You can choose between batts, blown-in, and spray foam insulation depending on your budget and preferences.
Pro tip: don't have cavity walls in your home? You can explore alternative insulation methods to keep your home cosier going forward.
7. Install energy-saving secondary glazing
If you don’t have double glazing in your property, the likelihood is you’re losing heat through the windows every day. If upgrading to double glazing isn’t realistic for you, secondary glazing might be a more viable alternative.
Secondary glazing film is a thin material that you attach to your windows yourself. Adding and removing it is easy, so there’s no need to hire anyone. While it’s not a true substitute for double glazing, it will help to bridge the gap and reduce heat loss through the windows.
Angela says that "Despite energy savings to be had, the charm of original windows means it’s understandable why homeowners aren’t rushing out to replace them at great expense. Most will look at secondary glazing and repairs to existing frames first."
For an in-depth look at potential expenses, check out our guide on the cost of double glazing installations.
8. Take advantage of natural heat sources
We all receive free heating every day – thanks to the sun! In the UK, some days we don’t get as much as we’d like, but that just means we have to take advantage of everything we do receive. If you’re smart, you can reduce your daily energy usage.
By keeping curtains and blinds open during the day and letting sunlight in, you’re heating your home without even trying. Conversely, you need to close the blinds and curtains at night, when heat isn’t entering but leaving.
Think strategically about how you’ve placed furniture within your home, too. Is a large sofa blocking heat from escaping? Are you stationing your furniture away from radiators, making yourself cold? Consider making changes if your setup seems inefficient.

9. Practice energy-efficient habits
Simple changes to your daily habits can make a huge difference in reducing your heating costs. You shouldn’t only focus on new boilers, extra insulation, and fancy smart thermostats! After all, the cost of a new boiler can be pretty significant.
Dressing warmly at home and using blankets to stay cosy can lessen your reliance on heating systems. Usually, this means you can keep your thermostat at a lower temperature. For the hardier folk, it could help you turn the heating off altogether.
In typical households, experts tell us that dropping your heating down by around 1 degree Celsius can cut your energy costs by 10%. That’s a major difference – especially since energy prices are always squeezing household budgets in the UK.
Remember, too, that you should only heat rooms that you’re using. Always close doors and vents in unused rooms where the heating is off. By doing this, you’ll concentrate the heat where it’s truly needed. This can make a sizable difference to your outgoings over the years.
Angela says “Keeping your shower time to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £70 a year on their energy bills.”
Saving money on your heating bills doesn’t need to be complicated or costly. Yes, upgrading to a new, more energy-efficient boiler or installing robust double glazing is effective. But you have cheaper alternatives if more expensive changes aren’t the right move for you currently.
Implementing these tips and altering your behaviour can help you keep a warm, comfortable home. These changes also help with reducing your energy use and saving money in the long run. Remember – your actions might feel small, but they add up if you’re consistent.
Do you need more advice and support about plumbing and heating systems? Or are you looking to hire a heating engineer today? Either way, Yell is here to help.
If you’re ready to hire, start by browsing the best plumbing, heating, and insulation professionals in your area.
Or post a free enquiry and let interested businesses contact you. You ask and experts answer – it’s the fastest way to hear from helpful services.
These materials are linked, written and provided for general information purposes only. They are not intended and should not be used as a substitute for taking independent advice. Yell accepts no liability in relation to any arrangement made between you and any of the Trade Associations, professional bodies and/or Expert Contributors linked from this site.