UK homeowners can reduce monthly costs and boost their home’s efficiency
Wickes experts are urging UK households to invest in a cheap ‘handy’ little gadget that could help them shave money off their monthly heating bills. With winter in full swing and energy bills a concern, home improvement retailer Wickes is sharing expert advice on how households can save money and stay warm without feeling the cold.
This month, Wickes is offering simple, low-cost changes that could help homeowners across the UK save money, alongside longer-term upgrades that help protect against rising energy prices. From a ‘one degree rule’ to basic draught-proofing and solar panels, Teresa Paul, Category Development Director for Sustainability at Wickes, details how people can keep more money in their pockets.
Teresa says a quick win that helps your heating work harder for less is bleeding your radiators. When air gets trapped at the top of radiators, it creates cold spots and prevents hot water from circulating properly, so your boiler has to use more energy to heat the room.
Homeowners can follow the step‑by‑step how to bleed a radiator guide on the Wickes’ website to improve radiator efficiency ‘in just a few minutes’. In the guide, the DIY store recommends using a radiator key, the shop sells one for £1.25, but there are slightly cheaper options available elsewhere, including a 99p Radiator Valve Key at Screwfix.
If you’re unsure of how to bleed your radiators, seek professional advice. A couple of hours after you’ve finished, check all of the radiators you’ve bled carefully to make sure the valves aren’t leaking.
Other quick wins for energy and money saving:
Teresa says following a ‘one degree Celsius rule’ can help save extra money. She explains: “Most homes are heated to a higher temperature than they actually need to be. Dropping your thermostat by 1C is a change most people barely notice in terms of feeling cold. It means your boiler is working less, and that quickly helps save over the winter.”
Turning the thermostat down by just one degree can save the average household around £90 a year. While many homes are set higher, a temperature of around 18C is generally considered suitable for healthy adults.
Another way to make your home more energy efficient and reduce costs is to ‘plug up’ any major energy leaks. The expert said: “Doors and windows are some of the main culprits for heat and money escaping the home. Simple draught excluders and rubber seals, starting from around £6, can create an immediate barrier to heat loss.
“For those who prefer to call in a professional, draught proofing can save around £35 a year on energy bills. Addressing both small and large draughts can make a huge impact on comfort and costs. You’re essentially stopping warm air that you’ve already paid to heat from leaking straight outside.”
Topping up loft insulation can also help homeowners improve their house and bills. She said: “Up to 25% of a home’s heat can be lost through the roof and around 33% through the walls. Adding rolls of insulation (200mm thickness or more) on top of what’s already there boosts performance and keeps more heat in for longer.”
Teresa also recommended fitting a hot water cylinder with an insulation jacket, which can also deliver “impressive returns”, saving up to £40 a year on bills by helping hot water stay warmer for longer. Another one of her tips is turning lights off when you leave a room can save up to £8 a year, and swapping to LED bulbs – ideally with a dimmer switch – helps reduce electricity use and carbon emissions further.
For households looking for a more permanent defence against rising energy prices, solar panels can provide long‑term savings by reducing reliance on grid electricity. Teresa said: “While solar requires more upfront investment than a draught excluder or thermostat tweak, you could start to see savings on your electricity in your first year when you switch to solar.
“We can’t say enough about how beneficial switching to solar can be. Our experts take care of everything from planning and installation through to aftercare – and all solar panels come with a 25‑year warranty. It’s a way to help lock in long‑term savings while also cutting your carbon footprint.”
