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If You Haven't Discovered it Already, Winter is Here
Winter is here and with a vengeance this year. These are the times when we need to extract the maximum from our central heating systems and hot water boilers. It doesn't mean, however, that we need to commit financial hari-kari in the process. Most UK families are just recovering from the financial outlay of Christmas when, round about the end of January, a massive gas and electricity bill falls on their doorstep, and it can be a whopper. Not only that, but they still have February and March to get through, which can often be very cold months too.
So while we need to keep ourselves warm, the best way keep energy cost at a realistic level during the winter, is to maximize the efficiency of the conversion of gas or electricity used to heat water and operate heaters and heating systems.
The first step is to make every effort to reduce the central heating boiler or water heater's temperature by making sure that the thermostat never rises above the manufacturer's recommended setting, which is usually around 120°F. (48.89° C). During these really cold winter nights, homeowners make the mistake of pushing their hot water heater's thermostat way past this standard set point, and pay a heavy financial price for the privilege.
Even though it has not always been a popular move, it can be worthwhile for a homeowner to consider installing low-flow shower heads to cut back on the amount of hot water used in showers, baths and washing dishes. These days, and at a minimal investment, you can buy heads which retain water pressure, while cutting back on water use by up to 50%.
Washing machines are notoriously large consumers of energy, and should be examined very closely when looking to reduce energy costs. It should be a rule in every energy- and budget- conscious households to only wash full loads in your washing machine. Washing machines use loads of hot water, between 5-30 gallons per load, providing serious demand on your home's water heater. Every load should be made to pay for itself, and if it can be done at off-peak hours, even better.
Even though winter has now set in, it is still not too late to consider replacing the heating elements of your electric water heater. Although it may appear that your heater is still functioning well, build-ups of lime/calcium significantly reduces their efficiency. Changing the element is a simple task, and can be carried out by any handy man, or by a local plumber or electrician. If you use a natural gas water heater to heat your water, contacting a gas heating engineer to carry out a routine cleaning and tuning of the burner will provide you with an immediate return, in terms of energy savings.
All these things and more are what should make Christmas warm and comfortable, and even more so if they are saving you some money!
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