David Blevings, OFTEC Ireland manager said: “With many customers falling for false economies in an attempt to save money or bag a bargain, it’s time to be more savvy and get as much value as possible from their heating system.”
• Switch to a condensing boiler – energy efficiency will improve by up to 18% and can lead to a saving of up to £300 every year thereafter. Grants are available to homeowners who are considering replacing an inefficient boiler with a more energy efficient condensing boiler.
• Service a heating appliance regularly – annual servicing improves efficiency, offers potential cost savings and could extend the equipment’s life, avoiding costly repairs and or replacements.
• Only use an OFTEC registered technician who has been assessed to work on oil-fired equipment and carries full insurance.
• Turn the thermostat down – reducing room temperature by 1°C could cut heating bills by up to 10%, typically saving around £65 per year. If you have a programmer, set heating and hot water to come on only when required rather than all the time.
Elsewhere in the house, only turn on lights when needed, don’t leave appliances on standby – a TV, DVD player and PS3 will cost around £30 to run over the course of a year if left on when not in use. One full load in the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher uses less energy than two half loads. Fix a leaking tap and replace a shower head, if your shower takes hot water straight from the boiler or hot water tank, a water-efficient shower head could reduce hot water usage.