Dodgy heating advice that you shouldn’t fall for this winter

The clocks have changed; winter is here. And that means there are due to be a good few pieces of heating-related advice that ‘so and so told me’. Sometimes this advice can be handy, but sometimes heating ‘hacks’ and money-saving ‘tricks’ are less than helpful. In some cases, they’ll actually cost you money, so it’s very important to be able to separate the myths from the real, dodgy heating advice.

With that in mind, heating experts have spoken out about these less-than-helpful pieces of heating advice which you should look out for.

Myth Bust 1: Leave Heating on All Day

There’s a popular belief that it’s better to leave your heating on all day, thinking it saves energy by keeping the temperature consistent.

That’s not true. Leaving the heating on constantly wastes energy and money.

“You’re better off using a timer or thermostat to heat your home when you actually need it,” says Nicholas Auckland, the Managing Director at Trade Radiators.

Myth Bust 2: Your Boiler Works Faster with the Thermostat Set Higher

If you feel inclined to crank up the thermostat, thinking it’ll heat the house faster, don’t.

“Whether your thermostat is set at 30°C or 20°C, the boiler will heat at the same rate, Nicholas says. “All you’re doing by setting it higher is making the house unnecessarily hot and adding to your energy bills.”

It’s best to stick to a sensible temperature and let your boiler do its job without overcomplicating things.

You can install Thermostatic Radiator Valves if you have a room that doesn’t get used much to ensure that it isn’t wasting energy. This tool blocks off hot liquid from reaching a radiator once it has hit a certain temperature.

While it might not heat up other rooms more quickly, it can allow the same amount of energy output to be more evenly distributed.

Myth Bust 3: You Need to Bleed Your Radiator Regularly

If you think bleeding your radiator regularly is just one of those home maintenance tasks that need doing, think again.

Radiators only need a bleed if there’s air trapped inside, which usually happens when they’re cold at the top but hot at the bottom.

Doing it more often won’t improve your heating system. Check your radiators occasionally, but there’s no need to turn it into a routine chore.

Listen to the experts

In a season where heating myths can lead to wasted energy, knowing fact from fiction is really important.

That’s because it’s not just energy that you’re wasting; it’s money – some of these myths will bump up your bills.

The insights from experts like Nic help clarify what really works – from using timers instead of leaving heating on all day.

Thankfully these experts are hardly shy on doling out actionable advice, and you won’t struggle to find practical and proven methods.

Enjoy a warm, cost-effective winter and keep away from the common misconceptions that will leave you with cold toes.