Here is some valuable advice on how to get the most from your heat:
Based on an Oil heated home
Boilers and controls
•Replacing an old G-rated oil boiler with some controls, with an A-rated oil boiler with a full set of heating controls could save around £490 and 1,600kgof carbon dioxide a year. •A heating programmer allows you to set your heating to come on and turn off at certain times of the day, so set it up to suit your lifestyle. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) let you turn up and down the heat given off by each radiator. •Installing and correctly using a full set of controls on your heating system so you are in full control of how you heat your home could save you around £145 a year and 440kg of carbon dioxide a year.
Thermostat
•Your room thermostat allows you to set the desired temperature of your home. Once the temperature is reached the boiler switches off. A common misconception is that turning your thermostat up will heat up your home quicker; but all that will do is heat your home to a higher temperature at the same rate. Insulation increases the speed your home heats up and maintains the heat in your home, as less heat is being lost through the building. •Turning your central heating thermostat down by 1 degree could save you £130 and 420kg of carbon dioxide every year. •Also be mindful of the heating up and cooling down of your home. Set your timeclock for your heating to come on about 30 mins before you get up and set your heating to go off about 30 mins before bedtime. This will vary from house to house. •Some controls allow you to control temperatures and the times your heating turns on in different rooms, sometimes known as zonal controls. It could save you around £215 and 650kg of carbon dioxide every year. •
Reflective radiator panels
•Installing reflective radiator panels in a house with uninsulated cavity walls or solid walls could save around £30 to £35 and 100kg to 110kg of carbon dioxide every year.
Based on a Gas heated home.
Boilers and controls
•Replacing an old G-rated oil boiler with some controls, with an A-rated gas boiler with a full set of heating controls could save around £235 and 4,200kgof carbon dioxide a year. •A heating programmer allows you to set your heating to come on and turn off at certain times of the day, so set it up to suit your lifestyle. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) let you turn up and down the heat given off by each radiator. •Installing and correctly using a full set of controls on your heating system so you are in full control of how you heat your home could save you around £185a year and 320kg of carbon dioxide a year.
Thermostat
•Your room thermostat allows you to set the desired temperature of your home. Once the temperature is reached the boiler switches off. A common misconception is that turning your thermostat up will heat up your home quicker; but all that will do is heat your home to a higher temperature at the same rate. Insulation increases the speed your home heats up and maintains the heat in your home, as less heat is being lost through the building. •Turning your central heating thermostat down by 1 degree could save you £170 and 295kg of carbon dioxide every year. •Also be mindful of the heating up and cooling down of your home. Set your timeclock for your heating to come on about 30 mins before you get up and set your heating to go off about 30 mins before bedtime. This will vary from house to house. •Some controls allow you to control temperatures and the times your heating turns on in different rooms, sometimes known as zonal controls. It could save you around £275 and 470kg of carbon dioxide every year.
Reflective radiator panels
•Installing reflective radiator panels in a house with uninsulated cavity walls or solid walls could save around £40 to £45 and 70kg to 80kg of carbon dioxide every year.
