Heating

Advice on boilers, radiators, central heating systems and keeping your home warm and energy efficient.

Practical Heating Tips to Keep you Warm Whatever the Weather

22nd November 2024

With the rise in energy costs and the removal of the energy payment, finding the most efficient, affordable, and eco-friendly methods to heat homes and individual rooms is more important than ever. Your heating options are most probably limited by the size of your home, your insulation, budget and priorities e.g. sustainability or cost. However, there are a few things that you can consider when thinking about the most practical and cost effective way to stay warm in the winter.

Central heating

Most people have some kind of central heating installed. While this is efficient in that it can heat up the home relatively quickly, and keep it warm, there is quite a lot of waste; you may end up heating the whole house just to warm one room. If you have central heating, consider investing in thermostat controls for different areas. Remember to consider which room your thermostat is in; if it is in a cooler area, for example the hallway, then the rest of the house will be much warmer than the temperature that you set.

Heating individual spaces

If you prefer it cooler in the bedrooms but like a warm living space, then it is a good idea to consider options for heating individual spaces. Smart thermostats are an ideal solution for this as you can set different temperatures for different areas. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, then it may be a good idea to look at portable heaters. In bedrooms and lounges, a simple heated blanket or cushions may be enough to keep you warm. However, other portable options include oil-filled radiators, convector heaters, ceramic heaters, infrared heaters, fan heaters, and halogen heaters.

Each type of heater has pros and cons (follow us on Facebook or X for next week’s blog), and the best heater type will depend on its use. In general, oil-filled radiators or ceramic heaters are most effective and cost efficient for longer-term use, whereas fan or halogen heaters work well if you want to heat a small space very quickly. When it comes to cost and energy saving, infrared heaters are a great option.

Making your home more energy efficient

Keeping your home warm isn’t just about getting the warmth in, it is about keeping it in and keeping the cold air out. Improving your energy efficiency at home is therefore vital. Check to see that your home is properly insulated, and if it isn’t, get a quote for getting the job done properly; there are some grants available to support this. If you notice a draught coming in under doors or around windows, use draught excluders, and invest in double or triple glazing if you can. If new windows aren’t in the budget, there are some great temporary solutions that you can do at home yourself.

The priority this winter is to stay warm and safe. If you are not able to do that, seek support from your local authority.

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Looking for more heating advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common heating questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What is the difference between a combi boiler and a system boiler?

A combi heats water straight from the mains on demand - no cylinder needed, which makes it compact and ideal for smaller homes or flats. A system boiler works with a hot water cylinder, storing a ready supply that can serve multiple taps or showers at once without the pressure dropping - better for larger homes with more bathrooms. There's also the conventional boiler, which needs both a cylinder and a cold water tank in the loft - common in older properties. A heating engineer can help you figure out which suits your home best.
Is an air source heat pump right for my home?

Heat pumps pull warmth from the outside air (even when it's cold) and use it to heat your home and hot water. They work best in well-insulated homes, ideally with underfloor heating or larger radiators that work well at lower temperatures. In draughty or poorly insulated properties, the benefits are more limited. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers a grant of up to £7,500 towards installation, so it's worth getting a professional assessment to see whether your home is a good fit before committing.
How often should a boiler be serviced?

Once a year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It keeps the boiler running safely, catches small issues before they become expensive, and is usually a condition of the manufacturer's warranty. Some home insurance policies require proof of regular servicing too. If you're not sure when yours was last done, book one before winter - better to find out before you're sitting in a cold house!
Why is my radiator cold at the top but warm at the bottom?

This issue is almost always trapped air. Bleeding the radiator - using a radiator key to release the air - usually sorts it, and it's one of the few heating jobs you can safely do yourself. If bleeding it doesn't work, or if several radiators are having the same problem, it might be a pressure or pump issue. Worth getting a heating engineer in to have a look.
What are the signs my boiler needs replacing?

Keep an eye out for: frequent breakdowns, energy bills going up without using more heat, unusual noises (banging, kettling, or whistling), a flame that's yellow or orange instead of blue, and any visible leaks or rust around the unit. If your boiler is over fifteen years old and ticking any of those boxes, replacing it is usually the more economical choice - modern boilers are significantly more efficient.
Is underfloor heating worth it and do I need a professional to install it?

For a new build or a big renovation, underfloor heating is often a great investment - it heats rooms more evenly than radiators and can be more efficient, especially alongside a heat pump. Retrofitting in an existing home is more of a job, and how worthwhile it is depends on your floor types and how much disruption you're happy to deal with. Either way - wet or electric - it has to be installed by a qualified professional.
Why does my boiler keep losing pressure?

Some pressure drop over time is normal, but if you're topping it up regularly there's usually a cause: a small leak in the system (which isn't always easy to spot), a pressure relief valve that's releasing water, or air in the system after bleeding radiators. Topping it up via the filling loop is fine as a short-term fix, but if you're doing it more than a couple of times a year, it's worth getting an engineer to look into why it keeps happening.

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