Three winter mistakes everyone makes when heating their home

With energy bills soaring and temperatures starting to drop, it’s time to – reluctantly – turn on the heating as we head into the colder months.

However, it’s easy to make mistakes that can lead to higher energy bills and less efficient heating.

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Heating expert and founder of UKRadiators.comRob Nezard, shares the three most common mistakes people make when heating their home in winter – and how to avoid them.

Rob says: “With energy costs rising, it’s more important than ever to heat your home efficiently.

Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes people make every winter that end up costing them more energy and comfort. Here you can read what you should pay attention to.”

Set the thermostat too high

Rob said: ‘It’s wrong to think that turning up the thermostat will heat your house faster.

“But in reality, heating systems operate at a constant rate. If you set the thermostat too high, the system won’t heat up any faster; it just causes your home to overheat, leading to energy waste and higher bills.”

Instead, Rob recommends setting the thermostat to your desired temperature and setting
patient.

He added: “A constant temperature is much more efficient and keeps your home comfortable without unnecessary energy consumption.”

Block radiators with furniture or curtains

Rob said: “Many people unknowingly block radiators with furniture or heavy curtains, especially in winter when we are trying to create cozy spaces.

“But if you block the airflow, the heat can’t circulate properly.”

This forces your heating system to work harder to warm the room, ultimately wasting energy.”

Rob advises to keep radiators free of obstacles.

He added: “Make sure furniture is placed away from radiators and avoid hanging curtains over it. This simple step can help your home heat more efficiently.”

Non-venting radiators

Rob said: “Trapped air in radiators is a common problem that reduces their efficiency.

“When air gets trapped, it creates cold spots in your radiators, preventing them from heating evenly.

“Homeowners often forget to bleed their radiators regularly, but this is crucial to maintaining efficient heating.”

Rob recommends checking your radiators at the start of the winter season and bleeding them if necessary.

He added: “By releasing trapped air, you allow hot water to circulate properly, which not only improves heat distribution but also helps reduce energy consumption.”

Avoiding these three common mistakes, Rob says, will help make your heating system more efficient, save energy and keep your home warm during the winter months.

Rob adds: “These are small adjustments that can make a big difference in both comfort and costs.”