The incorporation of smart heating technology is another aspect to consider in a quest to reduce heating bills and improve energy efficiency.
A smart thermostat is an addition well worthy of consideration; they can learn your home habits and routines, and automatically adjust and optimise heating schedules accordingly.
Zoned heating, meanwhile, enables the warming up of only the rooms that are being used at the time, so the wasting of energy is greatly reduced.
And remote control functionality has obvious benefits too, allowing users to alter their heating temperature and timings via on-the-go apps on smartphones or alternate devices.
Are electric heating systems worth considering to save money?
Electric heating systems can prove a good choice in the context of saving money on heating bills, particularly so as the UK shifts towards a more sustainable, greener future.
As well as providing a low carbon footprint, electric heating systems also operate in an extremely energy efficient manner. Some setups, such as ground and air source heat pumps, can offer efficiency levels of up to 400%, a monster performance in comparison with that of a traditional gas boiler.
Plus, many modern electric radiators can easily integrate with smart technology, further optimising their performance in terms of efficiency. More precise, customisable temperature control and scheduling can be achieved to ensure decreased energy consumption and therefore lower costs.
A comparison of heating system options
| Heating Type | Efficiency | Initial Cost | Running Cost |
| Gas Central | 90-95% | Medium | Low-Medium |
| Heat Pump | 300-400% | High | Low |
| Storage Heaters | 100% | Low-Medium | Medium |
| Infrared Panels | 100% | Low | Medium-High |
The final word on central heating
While there is clear disagreement amongst experts on this topic, most do come down on the side of using a thermostat to ensure your heating only turns on when necessary. However, when it comes to cost saving, there are a few things they all agree on. These include:
- Keeping your boiler efficient by having it serviced regularly
- Upgrading your old boiler to a new model if you can
- Keeping your house well insulated to avoid heat escaping
- Turning the temperature of your rooms down where possible
Regardless of whether you choose to turn your heating on and off, or keep it on at constant low level, minimising the amount of heat lost from your property through better insulation is always good idea. In the long run, doing so will help you save on bills and cause less harm to the environment.
