With over 40 years in the trade, the team here at DHS know a thing or two about getting the most out of your central heating. With that in mind, here are our tips for how to make your system as energy efficient as possible, helping you to cut your bills and your carbon footprint.
Thermostat
One of the simplest and most obvious ways to save money is by reducing the temperature that you set your thermostat to. The key here is to save money without sacrificing comfort, so experiment with different temperatures until you find the lowest comfortable setting then stick with that. On average your energy costs will decrease by around 3% for every degree by which you reduce your system temperature.
Make sure not to overlook the temperature of your hot water, as many people do, as this can account for nearly a fifth of your overall bill.
It is also worth looking at installing a programmable thermostat if you do not already have one. The extra level of control this gives you can help save around 10 percent on your annual heating costs.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
TRVs allow you to individually control the temperature of each room in your house, allowing you to set the heating lower or off in rooms you rarely use without affecting your overall comfort. TRVs work with all types of radiators and are usually easy to install, making this a fast and cost-effective solution suitable to pretty much everyone. TRVs can reduce your heating costs by up to 20% and the Energy Saving Trust estimate that they can cut your carbon footprint by between 310-630kg of CO2 per year.
Regular boiler servicing
Keeping your boiler in peak condition will help it to work as efficiently as possible, allowing you to get the most amount of heat from every unit of fuel you burn. This is why it is so important to get your boiler serviced regularly, with once a year being the ideal frequency. That way your boiler will continue to run efficiently, helping to keep your bills low. It’s also a good opportunity to quiz your heating engineer about any energy saving tips and ideas they have specific to your home and central heating system.
Upgrade your boiler
If your boiler is over 10 years old, it is strongly advisable to consider replacing it as newer models tend to be significantly more energy efficient. A modern, A rated condensing boiler will usually be at least 90% efficient at converting fuel into usable heat, whereas older, non-condensing models can be as little as 60% efficient. Generally speaking, your boiler will account for just over half of your home energy bill, so anything that can make it run more efficiently can have big impact.
Whether you are looking for a service or repair on your existing system or are ready for a whole new boiler, picking a company you can trust is of vital importance. DHS have been providing plumbing and heating services, including boiler replacement to Bristol and the surrounding area for over 40 years. We have built our business on a reputation for quality, fair pricing and great customer services, making DHS a boiler firm you can rely on.
Unit 2 Septimus Buildings 
