Recent news states that amber cold health alerts from the UKHSA for the whole of England will be in place until 12:00 on 6 January, just as the Ofgem energy price cap has increased, meaning many could be struggling to keep their homes suitably warm during this particularly cold period.
More than 2 million UK households already plan not to turn their heating on at all this winter due to cost-of-living concerns, highlighting the ongoing financial strain many are facing when it comes to their winter bills.
Now, research from the experts at Hillarys reveals a stark postcode divide in the cost of heating across the nation, with detached homes being the most expensive to heat.
And while location plays a role, Lisa Cooper, Head of Product at Hillarys, says the way homes are used — from smart routines and soft furnishings to heat-trapping tricks — can significantly reduce bills this winter whilst keeping homes warm.
Small changes households can make in January
| Building Form | Property Type | Average heatingcost per year (£) | Median heatingcost per year (£) | |
| 1. | Detached | House | 1,974 | 1,417 |
| 2. | Detached | Maisonette | 1,921 | 1,366 |
| 3. | Detached | Bungalow | 1,752 | 1,503 |
| 4. | Detached | Park home | 1,417 | 1,141 |
| 5. | Semi-Detached | House | 1,376 | 1,133 |
In detached homes, small warmth-saving habits go a lot further
In the UK, the majority live in houses (78%), which are the least energy-efficient and most expensive property types to heat. This is because detached properties are exposed on all sides and lose heat faster, meaning detached houses in particular stand to benefit most from simple, warmth-retaining changes over the festive period.
Lisa Cooper, Head of Product at Hillarys, has shared several easy tips which households can do ahead of January to keep warm and bills low, potentially saving up to £815:
- Submit a manual meter reading and potentially save hundreds
“If you don’t have a smart meter, make sure to submit a reading before or on Thursday, the 1st of January, to ensure your bill accurately reflects your energy usage at the old rate. The majority of suppliers have a dedicated app or web form where you can submit readings, but be sure to give yourself plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the exact process for your supplier ahead of the new year.
This will prevent your supplier from estimating your usage at the new, higher rate and stops you from being potentially overcharged. While there’s no specific, universal amount you’ll save from this step, as it depends entirely on your personal usage, avoiding a potentially inflated bill can save your household anywhere from a few pounds to hundreds of pounds.”
- Bleed radiators and save as much as £450 in the winter
“Bleeding a radiator means releasing this trapped air from your central heating system to improve its efficiency, allowing hot water to circulate properly and heat your home evenly. This can save you around £2.26 per week per radiator in energy savings during the colder months, which is roughly £36 to £45 saved per radiator over four months.
In a typical household with 8-10 radiators, those savings can translate to as much as £450 saved on your energy bill over the winter.”
- Thermal blinds could save you up to £240 per year
“Throughout the day, aim to keep curtains and blinds closed, as thick or lined curtains can reduce heat loss significantly. The key is using them smartly: open south-facing curtains for warmth from the sun, then close them at sunset to trap heat, forming an insulating barrier. Heavier fabrics and layered window dressings can help rooms hold onto warmth for longer, particularly in older properties.
A longer-term solution to maintaining heat inside is installing thermal blinds, such as Duette® blinds, which have a unique honeycomb structure.
Independent research at the University of Salford’s Energy House Labs has confirmed that Duette honeycomb blinds are highly effective at improving home energy efficiency by reducing heat loss through windows by up to 55%.
Honeycomb blinds have also been found to reduce whole-home energy use by around 4-17%, which, when applied to typical UK heating bills, could amount to potential annual savings of roughly £30 to £240 depending on the size of your home, insulation and usage.6”
- Save up to £125 with DIY draught excluders
“Draught excluders are a great option, which are long, filled fabric tubes placed at the bottom of doors to prevent cold air from chilling the home. It’s estimated that draught-proofing windows and doors can save you up to £35 per year.
They can be purchased in most home furnishings stores, but to keep costs low ahead of January, they can also be made from items dotted around the home (and make for a fun crafty activity with the family!); by using rolled up towels or filling old jeans or curtains with heavy filling like rice, beans, or fabric scraps and sewing up the ends.”
