How to Save on Heating Costs in an Apartment (5 Tips That Actually Work)

Here are my tired and true (and super easy) tips for how to save on heating costs in an apartment

We’re all sick and tired of the ever-rising energy costs and sky-high heating bills during the winter months, right? Yes. We’ve all been there, feeling the pinch in our pockets as we try to stay warm and cosy in our apartments. I too was faced with this dilemma, but I’m here to share with you five tips that have helped me reduce my heating bill by a whopping 17%. These practical and effective solutions will not only save you money, but also keep you warm and comfortable. So, let’s dive into these money-saving strategies that actually work.

1) Understand How Your Boiler Works

One of the most important lessons I learned in my quest to save on heating costs was understanding how my boiler operates. When my boiler broke down, I was lucky enough to get recommended the best plumber I have ever hired (he is Shaibul from Sanco Services, in case you’re London based!). He came to the rescue and enlightened me on some essential tips. 

For starters, he pointed out that I was using the booster function far more than necessary. It should only be used if we run out of hot water during the day, and we need a quick boost of energy to heat up a few more gallons of water. 

He also suggested I activate the boiler’s timer to heat the water during off-peak hours when electricity costs are lower. Up to that moment, the boiler was set to always be active, so it would continue to heat up water even if we didn’t need it to. To determine these off-peak hours, I contacted my energy provider to understand my tariff a little better, and this simple adjustment significantly reduced my heating bill. 

So, understanding your boiler’s settings and making the most of your energy provider’s tariff information is a smart move to cut down costs. It certainly worked for me! My boiler was a massive energy sucker, and I have pretty much halved the time it’s activated. Thanks, Shaibul!

2) Close the Doors

This tip may sound straightforward, but it’s astonishing how often we overlook it. Keeping the doors of each room closed is a simple yet effective way to conserve heat within a particular space. When you close off unused rooms, you’re preventing warm air from escaping, resulting in a warmer and more energy-efficient apartment.

It’s very easy to forget about this and leave all the doors open to make it easier for people to walk around, but since I started making sure that doors were closed at all times, I’ve felt a massive difference in the warmth and cosiness of the flat.

Try it out: ask everyone you live with to close the doors every time and see how this affects your need to crank the heating up. I bet it’ll reduce significantly!

3) Get an Electric Poncho or Blanket

This was a life-changing discovery for me!

When it’s chilly, there’s nothing quite like wrapping yourself up in a warm, cosy blanket. Electric ponchos or blankets take this comfort to the next level. They heat you up quickly, feel like a warm embrace from a cuddly teddy bear, and, most importantly, consume far less electricity than traditional heaters. Investing in one of these will not only keep you toasty but also save you money in the long run.

4) Get a Fleece Onesie or Sweatshirt + Sweatpans

This is for those who don’t like the idea of the electrical blanket/poncho. I get it: they only work if they are attached to something with power, and it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

However, I bet that a warm fleece outfit will be the warmth-factory you didn’t know you needed!

With more and more people working from home, it’s time to embrace the fleece trend. Donning a warm and fuzzy fleece onesie or outfit is not only an enjoyable and snug experience but also a smart way to reduce your heating costs. You’ll find yourself needing less heating during work hours, making this a win-win solution for staying warm and increasing your productivity.

And if you throw in a pair of fleece socks, you’ll be all set for the fuzziest energy-saving clothing ever.

5) Use Lids When Cooking

Now, this might come as a surprise, but your cooking habits can also impact your heating bill. Simply using lids when cooking can significantly reduce your energy consumption. When you cover your pots and pans, you retain heat and moisture, which speeds up the cooking process and keeps your food warmer. This small change will not only cut down your cooking time but also contribute to lower heating bills.

This was such an important discovery for me, as someone who home-cooks her meals every single day. Who knew a simple lid would be such a fantastic ally for my wallet!

Conclusions about how to save on heating costs in an apartment

In conclusion, saving on heating costs in your apartment is entirely achievable with a few practical adjustments. Why not get everyone in your household together and agree to apply some of these measures, so that everyone can benefit from a lighter energy bill. These tips have personally helped me significantly reduce my energy bill despite the rising costs, and I’m confident they will work for you too.

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