Some practical tips and tricks to maximise your comfort and warmth while living in a heat network-powered home.

We’ve recently seen temperatures plummet and some of us have even seen some snow. When it’s like an ice rink outside, sometimes it’s better to stay warm and toasty inside. However, having the heating on at home can come at a cost. Energy prices are still high with some struggling to pay their heating bills. Despite energy prices falling, heating costs for most are still significantly higher this winter than before. 

If you live in a heat network home, then there are some things you can do to stay warm whilst trying to keep your heating costs down:

Monitor your usage – your smart meter (such as the G6 or Incontro) will tell you how much energy you are using and what it’s costing you in real time. Your smart meter has a built-in digital display to help you keep track of how much heat and hot water you are using. You can monitor this information to help keep an eye on and control the amount of energy you’re using. 

Turn down the temperature - to help save on your heating bill, you could try turning your room thermostat down by 1 degree to see if you are still feeling comfortable. Also, if your home gets too hot, then it’s always better to turn the thermostat down especially on milder days to reduce the temperature rather than open the windows.  

Use your heating controls - using your heating controls effectively can help to bring costs down. It’s best to use heat when you need it. You can adjust your heating by using the thermostat, radiator valves and setting the timer to help control when you need heat.  

Set your heating to an optimum temperature - during the winter, we recommend keeping your living room at around 21 degrees and the rest of your home set to around 18 degrees. You could try this and keep an eye on the usage by using your smart meter to see if this helps to reduce your heating costs. 

Help us look after your heating system - we do our best to make sure your heating system is working as efficiently as possible. Now and again our friendly engineers may need to access your home to carry out any planned maintenance or emergency checks. We will always let you know when an engineer needs to come out. To make it easier for our engineers, please make sure that they’ll be able to access you home when they need to do any checks. 

Other practical tips for staying warm 

There are also other practical tips you can use to keep warm which can help to keep your heating costs down. You will have probably heard a lot of these before, but they are always worth considering. 

Use draught excluders – these can be very useful in blocking out any draughts from doors and windows.  They come in all sorts of shapes and lengths and can be a relatively cost-effective way to prevent cold air coming in. 

Clear the space around radiators – furniture and curtains can block the heat. Clearing the space around them will allow the heat to circulate more efficiently. If your radiators are covered, this can reduce their efficiency by 30%.  

Check your windows and doors – make sure they are sealed correctly as any gaps or holes can let the cold air in. 

Use lined curtains or thicker curtains – purchasing curtain liners can be a great way to insulate you home to help retain heat. You could also consider fitting thicker curtains which are usually more insulated than standard ones. It’s worth checking the insulation rating before purchasing. Both options can help to minimise heat escaping from your windows. 

Wear more layers – putting on a few extra layers will help to insulate your body and keep you comfortable. Certain fabrics such as wool tend to insulate better than others, but it’s all about choosing something that you feel comfortable in. 

Wear thick socks, slippers or shoes – your feet are often forgotten about, but it helps to keep them warm by wearing thick socks or even an extra pair. You could also choose to wear slippers or shoes for additional warmth too. 

Have a hot meal and warm drinks – sounds obvious, but it can help to stay warm from the inside by having a hot meal or a warm drink. 

Use an electric blanket – this can be a cost-effective way to keep you warm and cosy in bed. Many electric blankets come with timers so you can set them to switch off after a certain amount of time. Of course, you will need make sure you read any safety instructions before you use one.  

Reverse the ceiling fan – some ceiling fans have a feature that allows you to reverse the air stream. Activating this feature will help to circulate the warm air from radiators around the room. 

Keep active – to keep your body temperature up, it helps to be active. If possible, you could try doing exercises at home or even tackle some household chores.   

Use warmer bedding – one idea is to purchase a duvet with a higher tog and use extra blankets if you are chilly at night. This can be expensive initially, but it can help to keep you warm at night so this could be a good investment. 

Lay down a rug or carpet - whilst it can be practical to have hardwood and laminate flooring, laying a rug or carpet down can help to insulate and add an extra layer of warmth to your home. Whilst there is an upfront cost, it could be worth considering. 

Make use of the winter sun - on sunnier days keep the curtains open to let in light. This is a very simple and free way to help to heat up the room. And it’s always a good idea to close the curtains once the sun has set. 

These are just some of the many tips that you can try to keep your heating costs down. Some people are more vulnerable or at a higher risk of becoming poorly if they are exposed to the cold, so it’s important to stay warm and comfortable. For more general guidance about keeping warm this winter, you can also visit the government website for more information.  

Also, if you are out and about, whether you’re nipping to the shops or running a few errands, then you may be able to make use of any warm spaces in your local community that are available to you.  

Remember, if you have any questions about your energy supplies, please contact us. If you are concerned about your heating bills or you’re having problems paying your bill, please call us as soon as possible. We will always do what we can to help. We can also put you in touch with advice and support agencies.  

Our customer services team is available Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm on 0333 321 2010. You can also email us on info@switch2.co.uk.