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<\/p>\nWITH colder weather around the corner, we spoke to an expert to find out the exact time you should switch on your heating this winter.<\/p>\n
It's up to you when to switch on your radiators, but many households tend to\u00a0pop their heating on\u00a0at specific times of the year.<\/p>\n
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While some might delay putting the heating on to save money, many are turning it on sooner rather than later to combat that chilly feeling.<\/p>\n
Andy Kerr, founder of boiler experts BOXT said: "Experts recommend turning on your central heating on or around the October 29.<\/p>\n
"This is because this is when daylight saving time ends and temperatures begin to fall."<\/p>\n
Of course, if you have any health conditions or an illness which might be made worse by having\u00a0the heating off, it's worth turning it on earlier.<\/p>\n
Andy also said: "We always advise keeping your thermostat at a minimum of 10 degrees to protect your pipes from freezing.<\/p>\n "Frozen pipes not only stop your heating from working properly but can lead to costly complications.<\/p>\n "This can include burst pipes and plumber call-out fees, and it is ideal to ensure your heating system works reliably before the really cold weather arrives."<\/p>\n There are still countless ways you can cut back on the costs of heating your home and make your budget stretch even further, Andy said. Here's just a few:<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n An inefficient boiler can see your heating bill spike as it has to work harder to raise the temperature inside your home.<\/p>\n So you\u00a0should get it serviced\u00a0every 12 months to ensure it's working smoothly.<\/p>\n Not only this, but following a manufacturer's boiler service schedule will keep it in warranty.<\/p>\n That means if your boiler needs repairs they'll be covered by the manufacturer.<\/p>\n A boiler service costs around \u00a380 to \u00a3125 which can seem like a fair bit to fork out.<\/p>\n But the cost of replacing one is around \u00a33,000, according to Checkatrade – not a situation you want to find yourself in.<\/p>\n If you\u00a0turn your boiler's flow temperature down\u00a0as well as any thermostatic radiator valves in some rooms – you could save around \u00a3180 annually on your\u00a0energy\u00a0bills.<\/p>\n Andy said the typical heating range in households across the UK is between 18-21\u00b0c during the colder months.<\/p>\n But\u00a0turning your heating down by just one degrees\u00a0can slash your heating bill by 10%.<\/p>\n So if you regularly keep yours at 20\u00b0C, why not take it down to 19\u00b0C and see how much you can save?<\/p>\n As an example, if you usually spend \u00a3400 on your heating between October and February, you could save \u00a340 by dialling down one degree.<\/p>\n Bleeding your radiators\u00a0removes trapped air inside which can create cold spots and stop them from working efficiently.<\/p>\n A less efficient heating system means your boiler has to work harder and you spend more money than you need to.<\/p>\n Bleeding your radiators is a fairly simple process – you just need a radiator key and some old clothes or sheets to catch any water that comes out.<\/p>\n Experts say you should do it about once a year, but remember to not do it when the boiler is on as you may risk scalding yourself.<\/p>\n A couple managed to cut\u00a0\u00a3400 off their EDF Energy bill by turning off their immersion heater.<\/p>\n Topping up loft insulation\u00a0and\u00a0switching to a smart meter\u00a0can bring a household a further \u00a3230 worth of annual savings, according to Nesta.<\/p>\n It is also important to ensure that when your boiler's running there's no draught.<\/p>\n Ventilation is good for\u00a0health\u00a0and air quality but it's the first place where heat will escape.<\/p>\n If there's a draught, grab a\u00a0draught excluder\u00a0and plug the gap.<\/p>\n You should also ensure your windows are closed before the sun sets.<\/p>\n Consider what rooms in your home need heating.<\/p>\n You won't be using each one 24\/7 so make sure the heating is off in any rooms that aren't occupied.<\/p>\n There is also a\u00a0list of other common boiler problems\u00a0we've rounded up that could be pumping up your bills.<\/p>\n A noisy boiler could also indicate that your water pressure is low or there's a pump failure.<\/p>\n If you\u00a0spot rust on your boiler\u00a0then it could mean you're paying more than you need to on using your appliance.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/crop-24302403.jpg\")
<\/picture>BILL HELP <\/span><\/p>\nUK energy firm with 10m customers to give thousands an extra \u00a3150 for winter<\/h3>\n
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Most read in Money<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>BILL HELP <\/span><\/p>\nUK energy firm with 10m customers to give thousands an extra \u00a3150 for winter<\/h3>\n
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<\/picture>TAKEN TO COURT <\/span><\/p>\nMy neighbour built a fence THROUGH my tennis court – now I\u2019m suing for \u00a3350k<\/h3>\n
Get your boiler serviced<\/h3>\n
Turn your thermostat and valves down<\/h3>\n
Bleed your radiators<\/h3>\n
How else can I cut my heating bills?<\/h2>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
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