How to save energy in Autumn while staying cosy

Cold or Comfy?

Think about whether you really need to switch on the radiator. Fringe seasons like Autumn are a great opportunity to dig into the closet and bring out some of those clothes you forgot you love to wear. It’s the perfect time for layering and getting cosy, be that with extra layers of clothes or getting under your favourite blanket on the couch. Closing curtains and using draught stoppers can also help keep your rooms cosy while reducing the need to use your radiator.

What’s in a degree?

Lowering the set temperature by just 1 degree can save the average UK household £90 annually. So instead of setting it to 21 try 20 – it’s unlikely that you’ll notice a difference. It’s also recommended to set the thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature for you and your household’s needs, with a minimum recommended level of 18.

Is that a valve I see before me?

You might have seen the dials on your radiator, if it has one, but do you know what they do? Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) control the temperature of individual radiator units within your home, letting you turn down the heat in an individual room even if you have a centrally controlled thermostat. They sense the air temperature around them and if the room is warmer than the setting on the TRV, the valve will close slightly, reducing the volume of hot water that flows into the radiator. With a scale of 0 (off/fully closed) to 6 (fully open), set these to the lowest comfortable setting. This is great for a bedroom that you aren’t in all day where you could set it to 2 or 3, while other radiators in your home might be set to 3 or 4. Efficiently using TRVs in conjunction with a programmer and thermostat could save an average UK home £35 per year.

It’s getting hot in here

Make the best use of the heat that is already in your home. After you use your oven, open the door to release the heat into your kitchen. You’ve already paid for the energy needed to heat your oven and cook your dinner, so if it is safe to do so, leaving the oven door ajar helps you heat your home as well. That’s making your money work twice as hard!

Also, don’t shut the sun out – during the day, opening the curtains on south-facing windows will allow sunlight in to not only brighten up your rooms (reducing the need to rely on artificial lighting), but also naturally heat your rooms. Close them again at nighttime to reduce the chill from cold windows and help keep the heat in.