How to Reduce Heating Bill in Winter

Heating bills spike in winter — but most households are paying significantly more than they need to. Here are the most effective ways to cut your heating costs without sacrificing comfort, ranked roughly by impact.

1. Lower Your Thermostat (Biggest Impact)

Every degree you lower your thermostat saves 1–3% on your heating bill. The DOE recommends 68°F (20°C) when home and 60°F (15°C) when away or asleep. Lowering by just 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% annually.

See our full guide: What temperature to set heating in winter.

2. Install a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat automates temperature setbacks so you don't have to remember. It lowers the heat when you leave and warms the home before you return.

• The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is Energy Star certified and can save up to 26% on heating and cooling annually. Its remote room sensors ensure accurate temperature readings throughout the home.
• The Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is a more affordable option with full scheduling and app control.

3. Draft-Proof Your Home

Gaps under doors and around windows can account for 15–25% of heat loss in a typical home. Sealing them is cheap and delivers immediate results.

• Door draft stoppers (2-pack) — block cold air under exterior and interior doors
• Window weather sealing tape — creates an airtight seal around drafty window frames, no residue

4. Use Thermal Curtains

Windows lose significant heat, especially single-pane glass. Thermal curtains add an insulating layer that keeps warm air in. Open them during the day to capture free solar heat, close them at dusk to retain it. The ChrisDowa Grommet Blackout Curtains are thermal insulated and work equally well for heat retention in winter and heat blocking in summer.

5. Bleed and Balance Your Radiators

Trapped air in radiators means your boiler works harder to heat rooms that never fully warm up. Bleeding radiators at the start of the season and balancing them for even heat distribution can improve efficiency noticeably. See our guides on bleeding radiators and balancing radiators.

6. Add Thermostatic Radiator Valves

TRVs let you turn down heat in rooms you don't use. Setting spare bedrooms and hallways to a lower temperature while keeping living areas comfortable can cut heating costs by 5–15%. The Honeywell Home Thera-5 TRV is a reliable, easy-to-fit option for most radiators.

7. Use Zone Heating

Instead of heating the whole house, heat only the rooms you're using. A portable space heater in the room you're in lets you lower the central heating setpoint significantly.

• For bedrooms: WINHL Portable Ceramic Heater — 1500W, quiet, with timer and remote
• For living rooms: Lasko 1500W Ceramic Tower Heater — widespread oscillation, thermostat, remote

8. Use an Electric Blanket at Night

Lowering the thermostat to 60°F at night saves significant energy. An electric blanket keeps you warm in bed at a fraction of the cost of heating the whole room. The Homemate Heated Electric Throw Blanket uses about 100–200W — far less than the 10,000–20,000W a central heating system uses to heat a home overnight.

9. Service Your Boiler

An inefficient boiler burns more fuel to produce the same heat. Annual servicing keeps it running at peak efficiency and catches problems before they become expensive breakdowns.

10. Add Rugs to Hard Floors

Hard floors feel cold and allow heat to escape downward. A thick rug adds insulation and makes the room feel warmer at a lower thermostat setting.

Estimated Savings Summary

You don't need to make all these changes at once. Start with the thermostat setback and draft-proofing — both are free or nearly free and deliver immediate results. Add a smart thermostat and TRVs when budget allows, and you'll see meaningful reductions in your heating bill every winter.