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Heating Experts at Yell Reveal Top Tips To Help You Save Money on Your Bills This Winter

Jan 18, 2024

As we bunker down into the coldest time of year, every penny counts when it comes to your household bills, especially your heating. With gas and electric prices still at an all-time high, you might be looking for alternative ways to save that all-important coin whilst staying warm this winter. 

 

As we enter January and February, notoriously the coldest months of the year, Google search demand for “how to save money on heating” has increased by 22% since last year, and nearly 500% in the last month alone. With this in mind, at have compiled a list of tips on how best to save money on your heating bills this winter to ensure you can stay warm whilst cutting costs. 


1. Bleed and Clean Your Radiator System

 

Every January, search terms for “how to bleed your radiator” spike to their highest across the whole year, seeing 29,000 searches on Google within the month. After a mild Winter, January has seen a lot colder temperatures with more people becoming conscious of how well their radiators work due to heating costs. Making sure that the water that lives in your pipes and radiators is clean and free of any sludge, will ensure your heating system is as effective as it possibly can be. Sludge build-up can not only increase your bills by as much as 25% with up to 36% more heat loss but will also significantly reduce the lifespan of your boiler and central heating system. 

 

Signs of a sludgy system or one that needs bleeding include cold spots at the bottom of your radiator or finding they take longer than others to heat up fully. Regularly check your radiators by simply bleeding a little of the system water into a container from your radiator valve. This way you can keep on top of any maintenance that may be needed, as well as ensure no unnecessary money is being spent. If you are unsure, to have a look or even replace the system with a new boiler or radiator if needed. 


2. Check Your Radiators are Balanced

 

An unbalanced heating system within your home can lead to you spending far more money heating your home than you need to. In January alone, search demand for “how to balance heating” has increased by 35% in comparison to the previous year with around 1,000 searches.

 

When a thermostat is set to 20 degrees Celsius, an unbalanced heating system will result in the upstairs reaching around 23 degrees, whereas the downstairs will still be much lower and too cold. However, if you turn the thermostat up higher to heat the downstairs to a higher temperature, the upstairs will then be overheated which will lead to higher energy bills. 

 

Increasing the temperature of your thermostat by just one degree will increase your annual as it does not heat your home any faster, it will just stay on for longer as it tries to reach the higher temperature within the house. With a correctly balanced heating system, it is recommended to keep your thermostat between 18-21 degrees Celsius throughout the home to keep it at the most comfortable temperature upstairs and downstairs without significantly increasing your monthly bill. 

 

It is important to note if you have a new boiler installed, your system will need to be re-balanced. Your will be able to provide proof of this being done.


3. Programme or Time Your Heating

 

Between December - February each year, search demand peaks for “how to program heating” with around 9,000 searches in Google. As many people go back to work in January, they look at ways to turn their heating on and off at more convenient times to avoid any overspending or wastage when they are out of the house more regularly.

 

No matter the heating system you have, programming or timing how long your heating is on is a great way to cut costs and save money this winter. A timer allows you to schedule when your boiler turns on and off over 24 hours, whereas a programmer gives you more options allowing you to set different times and temperatures throughout your week. 

 

Consider setting your timer to go off 20 minutes before you leave the house or go to bed. That way, there will still be residue heat left in the house before you need to leave. If you want to make an investment that will save you money in the long run, installing a smart thermostat will allow you to control your heating from your phone no matter where you are. This way, if you have forgotten to turn it off before leaving, you don’t have to waste money on heating an empty home by switching it off from your phone. You might also choose to turn it on just before you arrive home so the house has heated up by the time you get in. 

 

Speaking to your is a great idea if you are looking at making changes to save money this winter. 


4. Set Your Thermostatic Radiator Valves To Low

 

Much like your thermostat, ensuring your thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) are set to low will save you more money than you may realise. You can then gradually turn these up until the room’s left at the desired temperature. 

 

Turning your TRV to a higher setting will not heat the room any quicker as this depends on the size and setting of your boiler. All this will do is spend more money and use more energy for longer as it tries to get the room to a hotter temperature. Heating costs can be significantly reduced by ensuring your radiator can circulate the heat properly, even at a lower setting. Make sure there is no furniture blocking the radiator, curtains are not covering them, and cabinets are not used to disguise them. This way your room will heat swiftly without having to whack the thermostat up too high. 


5. Stop Draughts

 

There is no easier way to save money on your heating bills than by ensuring any window and door draughts are blocked out.

 

Draft proofing your home will vary depending on what level of proofing you need so it is worth identifying the ‘problem areas’ as soon as possible. Many draught-proofing hacks can be carried out by homeowners and won't cost much to do. A great hack is adding metal brushed windows and draught excluders to your frames. This way, you will be able to keep out the cold and reduce the amount of hot air that is being lost and therefore money that is going to waste.

 

As well as doors and windows, many older properties have open chimneys, which are known for letting out significant amounts of heat. Consider blocking the chimney with an inflatable chimney pillow or fitting a cap to your chimney pot. 

 

If you are not comfortable fitting these yourself, is quick and simple.

 

Ticking Off Your Money-Saving Checklist

 

Saving money on your bills this winter is an easy process, and by following this expert-approved checklist, you can avoid any surprises or expensive bills over the colder months whilst staying warm and comfortable. 

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15 Oct, 2024
As across the UK temperatures officially hit single digits, homes will be turning to their trusty thermostats to give them some much-needed warmth this autumn. However, with your boiler sitting docile all summer, you may find yourself without heat when you need it. With an average of 5,100 searches each month, in autumn, searches for “boiler repair” begin to creep up. They peak in December as households find broken boilers when they need it the most. Searches have climbed 257% this month alone. With this in mind, Yell has partnered with David Doran, a plumbing expert at Blackstone Plumbing & Heating Ltd to find out what heating checks you need to make and how to avoid a winter breakdown. What checks should you carry out before turning your heating on? 鈼 Check your boiler pressure Your boiler pressure gives you an idea of how efficiently your heating system is running by telling you the pressure of the water circulating through your system. If the pressure is too high, then this could cause leaks to develop. If it’s too low, the system won’t work as well, leading to ineffective heating, and you’ll find your home will be colder than expected. David explains, “Low pressure can result in ineffective heating, while high pressure can potentially damage your system.” He recommends keeping the pressure gauge between 1 and 2 bars, which provides the ideal balance for optimal performance. If you notice a slight increase in boiler pressure while it’s running, don’t worry—this is completely normal. Just ensure the pressure stays below the 3-bar mark during use. 鈼 Check your thermostat Make sure your thermostat is working properly and accurately reading the temperature. If the readings are inaccurate, the thermostat might cause your boiler to work overtime, wasting energy trying to reach a room temperature that’s already been achieved. Conversely, it could shut the boiler off too early, known as short cycling, leaving you in the cold. David suggests, “ Consider replacing old thermostats with programmable or smart thermostats to improve efficiency. If your thermostat runs on batteries, check if they need replacing. ” 鈼 Test out your heating system before you need it It’s important to test your boiler before you need it, to avoid being one of the thousands of Brits searching for “boiler repair” in December. Run your heating system for a short period (e.g., 15-30 minutes) to ensure all radiators heat up evenly and there are no unusual noises from the boiler or pipes (e.g., banging, clanging, or gurgling sounds). Should you notice anything untoward, such as cold spots, it’s worth reaching out to your local heating specialist . On Yell, you can either browse nearby listings or post an enquiry . 鈼 Ensure your boiler is regularly serviced Annual servicing of your boiler is important to ensure that your system is operating safely. According to insights from HomeServe , more than half (58%) of UK households haven't checked that their boiler is working as it should and 56% of the population haven't had an annual boiler service. David says that it’s important to “ have your boiler serviced once a year. Faulty boilers can lead to dangerous situations like gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly. ” A service includes checks for leaks, blockages, and the correct operation of safety devices. David adds, “R egular servicing keeps your boiler running efficiently. Over time, boilers can accumulate dirt, dust, and limescale, reducing efficiency. A well-maintained boiler burns fuel more effectively, helping you save on energy bills. ” Alongside this, it’s important to remember that many boiler manufacturers require annual servicing as part of their warranty terms. Skipping a service could void your warranty, leaving you without coverage if something goes wrong. Additionally, some home insurance policies may also stipulate that your boiler must be serviced regularly. A local plumber should be able to service your boiler and give you the advice and support you need. Tips on how to get the most out of your heating during cold weather According to Pepper Money’s Specialist Lending Study , 73% of people say that even a £100 increase in monthly bills would seriously affect their household finances. With winter on the way, maximising the efficiency of your heating during cold weather can keep your home warm and comfortable while also saving on energy bills. David Doran and Yell provide tips on how to make the most of your heating in the cold weather: 鈼 Only set your heating to when you need it: A programmable thermostat allows you to create a heating schedule that fits your routine, reducing wasted energy when you’re not home or during sleeping hours. Smart thermostats can learn your habits and adjust heating automatically, optimising efficiency. 鈼 Aim for a comfortable temperature: Aim for a comfortable temperature between 18-21°C (64-70°F). Setting your thermostat at 18-20°C can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to higher temperatures. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you can save around 1-3% on your heating bill. 鈼 Only heat the rooms you need: Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) only heat the rooms you’re using. Keep unused rooms at a lower temperature or turn the radiators off entirely in those spaces. 鈼 Don’t block the heat with furniture: Avoid placing large furniture or curtains in front of radiators. This blocks heat circulation and makes your heating work harder to warm the room. Clear airflow helps the heat distribute more effectively throughout your home.
03 Oct, 2024
Research by driving experts at Yell has revealed that Leeds and Belfast are officially the best cities to be a learner driver. With driving lessons averaging at £33 per hour in Leeds, this city makes an affordable choice for most learner drivers at 13% less than the national average of £38. Belfast is 3% above the average of £38, but learner drivers benefit from short wait times of 10 weeks. Demand for driving lessons is at an all-time high as the backlog from the pandemic continues. Until driving test capacity increases, the backlog is expected to only get worse, with high-demand areas having seemingly no end in sight. In 2024, there are an estimated 3,712,728 learner drivers in the UK competing for driving test slots, but the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can only accommodate 2,042,976 of them. This means that demand for driving tests is expected to exceed capacity by 82%. This pressure only continues as data from the DVLA shows that , from January to March 2024 (Quarter 4), 666,000 car theory tests were conducted in Great Britain, an increase of 12% from January to March 2023 (Quarter 4). Equally, from January to March 2024 (Quarter 4), 561,000 car practical tests were conducted in Great Britain, an increase of 25% from January to March 2023 (Quarter 4). The delays in booking tests and the ongoing backlog are causing major frustrations for both drivers and instructors. Learners are having to take more lessons to make up for the additional waiting time and instructors are unable to take on more drivers due to the backlog. According to a survey from car insurance provider Marmalade , 77% of learners have cited that the extra cost of more lessons has been their biggest frustration. DVSA says that learners will need an average of 45 lessons to pass a test , working out around £1,710 per student. However, with wait times for tests now at an all-time high at an average of 21 weeks across the country , driving instructors and their students are in a crisis. Learners across the country are facing a postcode lottery when it comes to waiting for a driving test slot, and most centres are seeing over double the wait times of pre-pandemic levels, which saw an average of only 6 weeks. Leeds and Belfast revealed as the best cities for learner drivers in the UK Taking into account the average cost of driving lessons in each city, the average wait times and driving test search demand, Yell has created a list of the best cities to be a learner driver in 2024. It’s revealed that Leeds and Belfast are officially the best cities to be a learner driver. With driving lessons averaging at £33 per hour in Leeds, this city makes an affordable choice for most learner drivers at 13% less than the national average. While driving test wait times are still relatively high at 20 weeks, this is one week less than the national average, and search demand in the city is slightly less than the national average, seeing 1,700 searches each month. Belfast averages £39 for driving lessons, which is 3% more than average, however drivers benefit from short test wait times at only 10 weeks. Belfast also has a smaller search demand of 1,400 searches each month for “driving lessons Belfast”. London is ranked as the worst place for learner drivers. The average driving lesson costs are second highest in the country at £41 per hour, 8% over the national average. London has the second highest wait times at 23 weeks, which is mirrored in its monthly search demand, which is the highest in the UK with over 2,800 searches for “driving lessons London” each month.
27 Aug, 2024
New research by driving experts at Yell has revealed the UK’s top 10 speed camera hotspots and which regions are catching drivers out this summer. Looking at police records from every county across the UK between the periods of July 2023 and August 2023, the experts at Yell have revealed that Surrey takes the top spot for the most speeding violations in the UK with 22,811 between July and August 2023. In 2023, 203,801 people were found guilty of a speed limit offence - this is a decrease of 8% when compared to the previous year, but an increase of 85% since 2011. Across the UK, there are now around 7000 cameras on the road networks, catching drivers out across the country - from speeding violations to using a phone whilst driving, or parking illegally. Below, the driving experts at Yell have identified the top ten speed camera capitals in Britain: Top 10 UK regions with the highest number of speeding offences The UK’s number one speeding hotspot in the UK is Surrey with 22,811 speeding violations between July-August 2023 . Within Surrey, the speed camera hotspot that has been catching the most drivers on the road is the M25/M3 Junction. The location coming in second for the most speeding violations is West Mercia. West Mercia saw 21,266 speeding violations in the period of July-August 2023, with the M5 J8 SB speed camera catching the most speeding violations. The location coming in third highest for speeding violations is Nottinghamshire, with 16,400 violations being caught. The M1 North Bound between Junction 26 and 27, Notts has been identified as the location that catches the most speeding violations in Nottinghamshire between July-August 2023.
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