Common heating mistake can 'waste hundreds of pounds each year'

Now that winter is here, many of us will be turning up our central heating to warm our homes. But with bills still high, we want to be sure we are not wasting any heat.

Experts have warned there are some common mistakes many of us are making that could be adding to our bills without realising. Thankfully, these mistakes are avoidable and can stop driving up household energy costs. Energy efficiency expert Jamie Burns said: "Most of us think we’re being smart with our heating, but a few small bad habits can quietly waste hundreds of pounds each year."

“Getting to know how your system really works can make a huge difference to both comfort and cost," the expert from reliability firm Ailsa added.

Jamie urged households to make sure they aren't heating up unused space. This could be spare rooms that aren't currently in use or hallways that you just pass through.

Having the heating on in spaces you aren't using can even reduce the flow to the rooms you do need heating up. So, it is important to remember to simply turn the radiators off in these unused rooms.

Another common mistake is poor timing and control of the thermostat. Jamie warned leaving the heating on constantly or running the same schedule in every room will cost more than zoning and time schedules.

Again, if there are spaces you don't need heating then make sure the radiators are off in these rooms and aren't part of the schedule.

For the rooms you are heating, ensure the heat can't be lost. Unsealed letterboxes, chimney draughts and bare loft hatches can all let the heat escape.

“With energy prices still high, every small improvement adds up,” Jamie explained. “Understanding how to get the best from your heating can make your home feel warmer and your bills lighter. 

"It’s not about big, expensive upgrades; it’s about being smarter with what you already have. A few thoughtful adjustments can make this winter far more comfortable without the extra cost.”