15 Ways to Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter Without Feeling Cold

Keeping your home warm in a British winter can be expensive, but saving money should not mean sitting in a freezing room. The most useful approach is to make sure the heat you pay for goes where it is needed, when it is needed, and does not escape unnecessarily. Some improvements cost nothing, such as using your thermostat more carefully or moving furniture away from a radiator. Others, including insulation or smart heating controls, need a little more planning. This guide brings together 15 practical ways to reduce heating bills in the UK while protecting comfort, ventilation and safety. No individual tip guarantees a particular saving: the results depend on your home, heating system, tariff and circumstances.

1. Set a sensible temperature rather than overheating rooms

Turning the thermostat up higher than you need wastes energy, particularly when the heating stays on for long periods. As a starting point, many households find a living-area setting around 18°C to 21°C comfortable, but there is no single temperature suitable for everyone. Older people, young children and people with health conditions may need warmer rooms, and NHS guidance for vulnerable people is particularly important. A thermostat is not a speed control: setting it to 25°C does not usually make a room warm up faster than setting it to 20°C. Instead, it may keep the heating running longer. Try reducing an unnecessarily high setting slightly and judge comfort over several days rather than making a dramatic change all at once.

2. Give your heating a realistic daily schedule

Heating an empty house to the same temperature all day can be expensive. A programmable thermostat allows you to set comfortable periods around getting up, coming home and going to bed. If you work from home on some days but not others, consider separate weekday schedules. The best timing depends on how quickly your property loses heat and the heating technology you use. Heat pumps, for example, may work best with steadier settings rather than large setbacks, so follow the system manufacturer’s advice. Keep in mind that scheduling is about avoiding unnecessary heating, not leaving the home dangerously cold. If your existing controls are basic, our smart thermostat buying guide explains what to look for.

3. Use radiator controls to avoid heating unused spaces

Thermostatic radiator valves, often called TRVs, let you reduce the heat delivered to individual radiators. If a guest bedroom is rarely used, there may be little reason to keep it as warm as the living room all evening. However, avoid completely shutting off rooms that need enough background heat to prevent condensation, damp or frozen pipes. A smart radiator thermostat can make room-by-room schedules easier, but it is important to check boiler controls and compatibility before buying. We recently reviewed the tado° Smart Radiator Thermostat X, which supports app control and optional automation. It needs a compatible Thread setup and is not compatible with older tado° V3+ systems.

4. Stop draughts around windows and doors

Even a well-heated room can feel chilly if cold air enters through gaps around windows, external doors or letterboxes. Self-adhesive draught strips, suitable door seals and properly fitted letterbox brushes can be relatively inexpensive improvements. Check for obvious gaps on a windy day, and repair damaged seals where appropriate. Draught-proofing is different from blocking necessary ventilation: never seal purpose-built air vents or ventilation openings required for gas appliances, fireplaces or moisture control. A house still needs fresh air to reduce humidity and maintain indoor air quality. In rented accommodation, ask your landlord before making permanent changes. Small repairs can make a noticeable difference to comfort even where the bill savings are modest.

5. Make curtains and blinds work harder

Curtains can help reduce the uncomfortable cold sensation near windows, particularly in older properties with less efficient glazing. Close them after dark to add a layer between the room and cold glass, then open them during sunny periods to take advantage of free solar warmth. Thick, well-fitted curtains are often more useful than decorative lightweight ones. Keep curtains from draping over radiators, as this can trap heat behind the fabric instead of allowing it to circulate into the room. The same principle applies to furniture: if a sofa is pushed against a radiator, moving it forward may improve heat distribution without changing the thermostat. These adjustments cost little and can make a room feel more comfortable.

6. Check whether your loft insulation needs attention

Heat can escape through an inadequately insulated roof, so loft insulation is worth investigating in a suitable property. Check what insulation is already present, whether it has been compressed by stored belongings and whether any damp or ventilation problems need attention. The right approach depends on your roof design and whether the loft is used as living space. Avoid covering electrical fittings that need clearance or blocking ventilation at the eaves. A qualified installer can advise where access or safety is a concern. Insulation may cost more upfront than draught strips, but it can offer longer-term benefits. Before paying, investigate whether you qualify for any current UK or local energy-efficiency support schemes; eligibility and availability can change.

7. Bleed radiators only when they need it

A radiator that is cold at the top but warm at the bottom may contain trapped air. Bleeding it can help restore even heating, provided your system is suitable and you follow the boiler manufacturer’s instructions. Turn the heating off and let the radiator cool before starting, and keep a cloth handy. Some pressurised systems need the pressure checked afterwards. If a radiator remains cold at the bottom, the problem may be sludge or poor circulation rather than air, so repeatedly bleeding it will not solve the issue. Do not attempt repairs to unfamiliar heating equipment. A heating engineer can investigate persistent cold spots, leaks, unusual noises or pressure problems.

8. Have your boiler serviced and understand its controls

A properly maintained boiler is important for safety and reliable operation. Arrange servicing according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, using a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas boilers. A service is not a guarantee of lower bills, but faults and inefficient operation can sometimes increase running costs. Ask the engineer whether your boiler’s flow-temperature settings and controls are appropriate for your home. Some modern condensing boilers can operate more efficiently at lower flow temperatures, but adjustments depend on the system, weather and hot-water arrangements. Do not change settings you do not understand, particularly where a hot-water cylinder is involved. Safe hot-water temperatures and protection against bacteria remain essential.

9. Compare tariffs and check the bill itself

Reducing energy consumption is only half the equation; the unit rate and standing charge on your bill matter too. Check whether you are on a fixed tariff or a variable tariff, when a fixed deal ends and whether any exit fees apply. Compare the full annual estimated cost rather than looking only at a headline unit rate. Make sure your supplier is using accurate meter readings, especially if a smart meter has stopped sending data automatically. The UK energy market changes regularly, so do not assume last year’s cheapest tariff is still best. Our UK household bills checkup covers other recurring costs that are worth reviewing at the same time.

10. Use a smart meter to spot patterns, not just numbers

A smart meter’s in-home display can help you understand when your household uses more energy. Compare typical days, look for changes after adjusting heating schedules and keep an eye on consumption when nobody is home. Remember that the display measures energy use across the household, so a sudden increase might come from cooking, hot water or other appliances rather than space heating. A smart meter does not reduce energy consumption by itself; its value is the information it gives you. For practical ideas beyond heating, our guide to saving money at home includes other ways to trim household expenses.

11. Keep doors closed when it makes sense

If you are concentrating heat in the rooms you use most, closing internal doors can help prevent warm air from moving into cooler areas. This is particularly helpful in homes with draughty hallways or staircases. It is not always the best strategy in an open-plan home, and you should not block necessary airflow where ventilation is required. Rooms that are left too cold may develop condensation, especially if moist air enters from kitchens and bathrooms. Balance room-by-room heating with enough ventilation and background warmth to protect the building. If damp patches or mould appear, address the underlying cause rather than simply turning the heating off to save money.

12. Control moisture without wasting heat

Moisture from cooking, showers and drying clothes can lead to condensation on cold windows and walls. Use extractor fans where available, put lids on pans and ventilate bathrooms after showers. Short, purposeful ventilation can be more effective than leaving a window wide open all day during winter. Avoid drying large amounts of washing directly on radiators because this can restrict heat output and add moisture to the air. A dehumidifier may help in some homes, although it uses electricity and is not a substitute for repairing leaks or improving ventilation. Our NETTA 20L dehumidifier review explains one option for managing indoor humidity.

13. Check your hot-water habits

In homes where the heating system also produces hot water, showers, baths and stored hot-water settings can contribute significantly to energy bills. Fix dripping hot taps, use an efficient shower head where suitable and avoid running hot water unnecessarily. If you have a hot-water cylinder, check whether it is adequately insulated and whether its timer matches your routine. Do not lower stored hot-water temperatures below safe levels without professional advice because bacteria, including Legionella, can be a risk. Likewise, do not assume every boiler setting should be reduced. A heating professional can explain which adjustments are safe for your particular system.

14. Look into financial help before spending money

If you are struggling with heating costs, contact your energy supplier before arrears build up. Suppliers may offer payment arrangements or direct you to support schemes. Depending on your circumstances and where you live in the UK, help may also be available through government, council or energy-efficiency programmes. Rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and schemes can open, close or change eligibility. Use official sources to check current information rather than relying on old articles or social-media posts. If you rent, speak to your landlord about serious draughts, broken heating and insulation problems that are their responsibility.

15. Make one change at a time and measure the result

It is tempting to buy several smart gadgets and make major heating changes all at once, but then it becomes difficult to tell what actually helped. Start with a few low-cost improvements: adjust the schedule, check for draughts and move furniture away from radiators. Compare energy use over similar weather conditions where possible. Then consider larger investments such as better insulation or smart heating controls if they suit your property. Be realistic about payback periods: installation costs, household habits and energy tariffs all affect the result. For more ideas on connected devices, see our energy-saving smart devices guide.

Final thoughts: a warmer home for less

The best winter heating plan is not simply to turn everything down. It is to find a comfortable, safe temperature, stop unnecessary heat loss and use your controls intelligently. Begin with inexpensive changes such as schedules, radiator access, curtains and draught seals. Check your energy bill and look for support before making a major purchase. If you decide that a smart thermostat or better insulation is worthwhile, make sure it is compatible with your property and calculate the complete cost. A few thoughtful improvements, checked over time, can make winter easier to manage without sacrificing the warmth that makes home comfortable.

Note: This guide provides general household energy-saving information. Seek qualified advice for boiler repairs, electrical work and changes to heating systems. Image examples illustrate home heating and are not recommendations to use portable electric heaters instead of central heating.