5 Easy Hacks to Keep Your Home Warm on a Budget

Date Published: 22/04/2025

Staying warm while keeping your energy bills in check is a top priority for many Brits during the colder months. Our heating oil experts have put together some valuable insights on balancing comfort with cost savings. 

Keeping your house warm on a budget means staying on top of several smaller things, but it pays off over the expensive winter and festive months.

1. Don’t leave your heating on all day

Firstly, try to resist the urge to leave your heating on all day. Instead, set your heating to come on when you're home, as this can help you save significantly on energy bills without sacrificing comfort. This practice enables you to enjoy warmth when you need it most without causing unnecessary energy consumption. We recommend using a timer on your heating system or a smart thermostat, which allows you to schedule your heating to turn off or on according to your day-to-day routine. Timers and smart thermostats are fantastic tools to ensure that your heating is on when you need it to be, instead of all day.

2. Bleed your radiators

An often overlooked method to keep your home warm is bleeding your radiators. During the warmer months, air accumulates within your heating system, causing radiators to distribute heat less efficiently. This accumulation of air can lead to cold spots on your radiators, making them feel lukewarm regardless of what temperature you have set for your heating. Lukewarm and ineffective radiators are not only frustrating but also costly, as more energy is used to try and get your radiators up to temperature, resulting in higher utility bills and significantly reduced efficiency. By bleeding your radiators at least once a year, you can ensure that they’re working to their full potential and heating your home effectively.

3. Don’t obstruct your radiators

Another great way to keep your home warm on a budget is to ensure that your radiators are not obstructed by furniture or curtains. To operate effectively, radiators need space to heat the surrounding air. Before turning your heating on, make sure your radiators have about 12 inches of clearance to allow proper air circulation. Ensuring that nothing is obstructing your radiators is crucial for enabling warm air to rise, circulate freely, and distribute heat evenly. If radiators are blocked, the heat they’ve produced can become trapped, again leading to higher energy bills and less efficient heating. By keeping this space clear, you can ensure that your radiators are working at their best, providing a warm and cosy environment without energy wastage.

4. Look for draughts

Draughts are the enemy of a warm home as they let in cold air, making your heating system work harder than necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature. Using draught excluders to seal gaps under doors stops cold air from infiltrating your home. Draught excluders are often made from materials like fabric or foam and can be placed at the bottom of doors to prevent cold air from entering (and warm air from escaping). For gaps around window seals, you can use weather stripping or caulk to seal gaps around windows, ensuring that they’re airtight to prevent cold air from drafting in. 

5. Install a smart meter

Everyone seems to be using smart meters nowadays, but only approximately half of UK households have them installed. If you’re one of the 50ish percent without a smart meter, it may be time to seriously consider having one installed. Smart meters are great for keeping on top of your budget. They provide you with real-time insights into your energy consumption on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. This enables you to make informed decisions on how to keep your home warm as well as how much of your budget is going towards heating. Smart meters also remove the need for estimated bills because households are billed on their actual usage. Installing a smart meter means no more nasty surprises. 

By implementing these expert tips, you can maintain a cosy home cost-effectively during the colder months. Remember, small changes can lead to significant savings in the long run!

Are you looking to top up before the winter rush? Get a quote and secure your domestic heating oil order today.