My handy 99p gadget that could save you up to £300 on your energy bills this winter

WITH winter fast-approaching, households are bracing for higher heating costs as the cold weather kicks in.

Gas and electricity bills were hiked last month when Ofgem announced the new price cap would be £1,717 – up from £1,568 previously – a move that has piled yet more pressure on to already-stretched budgets.

This has prompted consumers across the UK to look for clever ways to keep a lid on energy costs which won’t break the bank.

But thankfully, there’s a very simple and cheap hack that can save you money on your heating bills, according to Adam Clark, property expert at My Local Toolbox.

He told The Sun: “Household bills increased substantially last month, but one easy way to save cash is by using a key to bleed your radiator. Every tradesman has one.”

You can pick up one of these little metal (or plastic) keys from an online store or hardware shop.

Adam said: “While prices can range up to more than £100, depending on quality and brand, at the cheaper end, prices start from less than £1.”

At The Range you can buy one of these keys for £1.49, and on eBay, some are priced at just under £1. Other online stores have prices that are even lower still.

“Once you’ve got your key, bleeding each radiator is a simple task that can take as little as five minutes,” said Adam. “This can help you save on central heating costs by reducing trapped air that has built up.”

Trapped air prevents hot water from circulating properly, meaning the boiler has to work harder to stay at a comfortable temperature. This can result in higher costs.

If your radiator heats unevenly or stays cold at the top, these could be signs that air is trapped.

The energy supremo said: “Bleeding your radiator allows hot water to evenly, making your heating system more efficient.”

As well as making your rooms cosier, bleeding your radiators can also save you money.

Adam said: “The amount you save will depend on the size of your home, the efficiency of your heating system and your energy habits.

“But well-maintained radiators could save you between £100 and £300 per year on heating bills.”

So how exactly do you go about carrying out this DIY task?

First off, you need to turn off your boiler.

“Ensure your radiators are cool to avoid hot water spillage,” said Adam. “It’s then time to locate the bleed valve. This is typically at the top of the radiator.”

You should either find the valve has a small square peg for the radiator key. Alternatively, it may have a slot for a flathead screwdriver.

“Hold a towel or small container under the valve to catch any drips,” added Adam.

“Fit the key into the bleed valve and turn it slowly anticlockwise. A hissing sound indicates air escaping, which is normal.”
Once the hissing stops and water starts to trickle out, the trapped air is fully released.

“When you’re finished, turn the key clockwise to close the valve securely,” said the heating whizz.

After a 15-minute wait, you can switch the boiler back on. Take a moment to check the pressure returns to a safe level.

“The pressure should be between the ‘one’ and 1.5 bar,” said Adam. “Top up, if necessary.”

If you keep putting off this job because you find it fiddly, or don’t like the mess, there are keys on Amazon for just over a tenner which include a ‘collector’ for drained-off water. This removes the need for rags and bowls.

Bleeding your radiators is a job that usually only needs to be tackled every six months, according to Adam.

“The aim is to keep your system efficient and your home warm throughout winter,” he said.

“Be sure to keep an ear out for gurgling or banging noises, as these could indicate it’s time to bleed your system.”

If you have lots of radiators, begin with the unit farthest from the boiler.

“Start with the ones on the ground floor and then work your way up through the property,” said Adam. “Remember to prioritise safety at all times.”

Other ways to keep energy bills down

Improving the efficiency of your radiators is not Adam’s only tip to keep a lid on energy bills this winter.

“Try turning your heating down by one degree,” he said. “You probably won’t notice the difference, and yet you can make some decent savings.”

According to Energy UK, making this adjustment could cut your heating bill by up to 10% and save you around £85 per year.

Adam also suggests scoping out any gaps in your window frames, doors and floorboards.

“This can result in heat escaping and cold air entering your home,” he said. “Draughts in the winter will make your property feel much colder, even if the heating is on high.”

While you can pay for a professional to draught-proof, there are lots of simple steps you can take yourself, according to the energy-saving aficionado.

Adam said: “You can pick up foam seals or self-adhesive strips from a DIY store, or buy them online, and these can be installed across gaps in windows and doors.

“You could also think about swapping your current curtains for thicker or thermal alternatives.”

At Dunelm, a roll of draught excluder self-adhesive weather strip tape costs £6. Prices for thermal linings for curtains start at just under £10.

Adam also reminds people not to forget about overlooked areas such as keyholes and letterboxes.

On Amazon, you can find keyhole covers starting from £3, and letterbox covers from around £5.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing your home can save around £50 a year.

At the same time, if you haven’t done so for a while, now could be a good time to get your boiler serviced.

An annual check-up by a professional can help highlight any concerns.

“This will ensure your boiler is working correctly and will detect any potential issues that could result in a fire or gas leak,” said Adam.

“One of the biggest dangers that comes with a faulty boiler is the risk of carbon monoxide release. This is odourless and can be fatal if undetected.”

In addition, if your boiler isn’t serviced and unexpectedly breaks down, the cost or repairs can be eye-wateringly expensive.

“You could find yourself paying up to £1,000 for repairs,” said Adam. “And if the entire boiler needs replacing this could set you back a hefty £3,000.”

When getting your unit serviced, always use a registered Gas Safe engineer. Expect to pay around £100.

Once your boiler has been given the once-over, you may find you can turn down the overall temperature and still be just as cosy – saving you some more cash.