Turning down your gas or oil central heating thermostat
is a simple way in which you can help save on your fuel bill and
protect the planet.
Heating accounts for 80% of the average household energy bill
and equates for more than a quarter of the UK's carbon
emissions.
Most central heating room thermostats are set at between
18C and 21C.
These are the small boxes on the wall which tell your
boiler whether or not the room is set at the temperature
on its dial.
When the room is warm enough the thermostat switches off
your boiler and then turns it back on when the room has cooled
down.
However, turning down your thermostat by just one or two degrees
will have no noticeable effect on your comfort and can save you a
considerable amount on your fuel bill over the course of a
year.
The same applies to thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) which
you can use to control the temperature in each of the
rooms around your home.
They are fitted to one end of your radiators and can be set
at either a low or high setting.
To help you cut down on your bills with TRVs set the ones
in your bedroom on a lower setting - for example, 1
or 2 - compared to the ones in your lounge which should be on
a higher setting - for example, 5 or 6.
You can also use your central heating timer or programmer to
help save on your bills.
They allow you to turn your heating on and off automatically at
certain times of the day.
It is a good idea to set the heating to come on half an
hour before you wake up and go off half an hour before you go
out or go to bed.
Remember, you will only be wasting heat if your heating is
switched on while you are out of your house.
For further information please contact our
Home Energy Efficiency Officer on 01934 426 686.
