There are ways that you can protect yourself if you are worried about your heating bills this winter:
- Get a free flu jab – if you are 65 or over, live in a residential or nursing home or are a carer, you are entitled to a free flu jab.
- Check the weather forecast – by knowing when temperatures are likely to drop, you can stay indoors and remain warmer
- Find out if you are eligible for a grant – there are a number of schemes that can subsidise your heating bills this winter
- Keep your heating system maintained – your boiler and radiators have to work harder over the colder months. Make sure they are as efficient as possible by arranging to have a Gas Safe engineer check and service your system. If it is time to upgrade your boiler to more energy-efficient one, don’t despair as the money you spend will make a big impact when it comes to your monthly bills
- Take Vitamin D – this vitamin is essential when it comes to healthy bones and muscles. It is absorbed through sunshine and diet, which can be lacking in the winter. Over-65s should take a 25mg supplement each day
- Insulation – did you know that approximately 25% of your heat is lost through the roof? This can be easily reduced by checking that 1. you have insulation in your loft and 2. it is at least 25cm thick. It might also be worth looking into cavity wall insulation – it’s not cheap but could be well worth the investment long term
- Install TRVs – thermostatic radiator valves enable you to programme your heating and enjoy much better control over when and where you heat your home. In fact, TRVs could save you as much as 40% in comparison to a property with no controls. You may also want to consider smart thermostats, which can be controlled via your smartphone
