Autumn is officially approaching, which means the nights are drawing in and evenings are growing chillier. Google trends data shows that searches around ‘central heating’ peaked on the 3rd of October last year. Not only does this indicate that this is the day Brits are most likely to turn on their heating, but it also means that many of us are forking out for heating for over third of the year. Yikes!

The dreaded ‘do we or don’t we’ heating debate is a re-occuring source of stress every year, but 2020’s it’s set to cause even more financial woe than usual – given the extra time we’re all spending at home.

Looking for simple ways to reduce your heating bill and stay warm during the last half of 2020? Here are some expert tips on how to stay cosy without having to worry about your heating bill!

Be mindful of your blinds…

Blinds and shutters aren’t just used for keeping the light out, they can be used to effectively control the temperature in your home – meaning that you can keep all that precious heat in during the winter months without having to think about the thermostat.

Jason Peterkin, director at 247 Blinds gives his specialist suggestions on how to choose the right window dressing this autumn:

“Wooden Venetian blinds or plantation shutters are great for keeping the temperature at a nice, warm level in the home as they allow you to adjust the amount of light filtering into the room by altering the size of the gap between the slats.  

“Wooden Venetians and shutters are often thicker and essentially act as a barrier between your windows and the room. They are particularly good at retaining heat, as wood possesses insulative properties naturally.”

Make sure your windows are cold-proof…

If you’re feeling unwanted cold air in your home, it might be because your windows are not performing as well as they should be – in fact, it’s actually estimated that up to a staggering 40% of your home’s energy escapes from your windows.

If you live in an older house that lets a lot of the outside air in, then purchasing a smoke pen will help you detect which spots need the most attention. If you follow the smoke trail and pay close attention to the floorboards, doors and windows, you’ll be able to easily identify the main source of draught.

Martin Troughton, Marketing Director at Safestyle offers his insight as to why this might be:

“Older windows tend to let a lot of the precious heat from your home escape meaning that you’re using more energy than you probably need to when heating each room. Energy-efficient windows, on the other hand, will not only make your home feel warmer and save you money on your energy bills, but it will also help to reduce your carbon footprint.

“However, it’s not only old windows that can have a negative impact; if your windows are poorly installed and maintained, then this can also be problematic. It’s really important to keep up the maintenance of your windows as failing to do so could actually cost you a lot of money in heating bills. 

“We have some great options when it comes to energy-efficient windows, all recommended by the Energy Savings Trust. They are specifically designed to harvest as much free energy into your home as possible.”

Invest in a mattress that regulates body temperature…

No one likes to wake up shivering during those long autumn nights. Aside from being extremely unpleasant, shivery sleeps can also cause a major disruption to your sleeping pattern. Though many of us often think of hot water bottles and electric blankets as a way to stay cosy during the night, we should also be thinking about our mattress choice.