Keep your family warm this winter
11 September 2023
As we approach the winter months now is the perfect time to turn your central heating system on and test that it's working safely and efficiently to avoid any last-minute surprises when you need it most.
At Swale Heating we understand the winter months and thinking about the of cost of heating your home can be daunting, which is why we have collated a range of energy saving and draught proofing tips to ensure your home is as warm as possible this winter.
Top 5 energy saving tips*
- You could save around £35 a year by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
- Switching to energy efficient lights such as LED spotlights, could save you up to £40 a year.
- Turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save around £60 a year.
- Take shorter showers, spending just one minute less in the shower will save up to £8 a year on your energy bills, per person.
- Reduce washes, you could save £8 a year by reducing your washing machine use by just one cycle a week.
Top 5 draught proof tips **
- Windows – Try draught-proofing strips to stick around the window frame and fill the gap between the window and the frame.
- Doors –There are four main areas to consider for draught-proofing: keyhole, letterbox and gaps around the edges and bottom. Use draught excluders and keyhole and letterbox covers.
- Chimneys – Unused fireplaces mean your chimney is probably a source of unnecessary draughts. Fit a chimney cap or purchase a draught excluder.
- Floorboards and skirting – With everyday use boards and skirting contract and move slightly, you can use a flexible filler in the gaps to decrease draughts.
- Old extractor fans - Old fan outlets may need to be filled with bricks or concrete blocks and sealed from both the inside and outside.
If you’ve turned your boiler on and have come across problems with your system, try not to worry, we are on hand to help. We have a range of ways for you to contact us. You can use your online account to book a repair or use one of our quick and easy ways to contact us:
WhatsApp: 01795 503604
Text us on: 07984351760
We also have an online chat service on the right-hand side of our website.
Unfortunately, sometimes boilers cannot be repaired or are no longer energy efficient and the best option is to replace it with a new A-rated boiler. Below we have put together a few reasons why installing a new A-rated boiler may be the most cost-effective and reliable option.
A warmer more comfortable home
Over time gas boilers become less efficient and can struggle to heat your home.
Modern boilers are designed to run at 90% efficiency (or more), however, older boilers could be costing you a pretty penny. Here’s some estimated efficiency rates by age:
- Over 25 years old: 60% efficient
- 20 years old: 70% efficient
- 15 years old: 80% efficient
- 10+ years old: 85% efficient***
Reduce energy bills
As boilers get older and become less efficient this is reflected in your energy bills. Upgrading to an A-rated boiler could save you up to 30% on your energy bills, which is an average saving of approximately £580****.
As part of a new environmental initiative, the UK government plans to phase out gas boilers and replace them with hydrogen blend powered boilers by 2025. You can find out more about this in our ‘Are gas boilers really being banned in 2025’ blog. Installing a new boiler now will ensure you are ahead of the curve, resulting in you being prepared when a 20% hydrogen blend is introduced.
Peace of mind
A new boiler is covered by its manufacturer's warranty giving the homeowner peace of mind. New boilers are also at a very low risk of breakdowns and costly repairs.
Plus, if Swale Heating installs your boiler, you can get premium gas boiler cover for less, which provides full comprehensive cover, unlimited call-outs, no excess and all parts and labour is included. View the full details of our premium boiler cover plan here.
Control of temperature
Modern A-rated boilers are compatible with traditional and smart heating controls, when used together they allow the user full control over their heating schedule. Control the heating in selected areas of the home, set timers around your schedule and reduce the amount of energy wasted.
If you’d like more information on heating controls and the various types, read our ‘Central heating controls explained: what are they and are they worth it?’ guide.
Make your property more attractive
Installing a new boiler will make your property more favourable if you intend to sell or rent it. The boiler will be at less risk of breakdowns and provide the new owner/renter with reduced energy bills when compared to an old boiler. Installing a new boiler can also improve the efficiency rating of your home which may be reflected in your home’s EPC rating.
If you'd like to find out more about EPC ratings and how they are changing for landlords read our ‘EPC rating changes for landlords 2025’ blog.
Compact
New boilers tend to be smaller and more attractive, they can often be installed within kitchen cupboards or displayed on kitchen walls due to their sleek design.
Peace and quiet
Modern boilers are often significantly quieter when running than older boilers. Most new boilers are Quiet Mark certified, which means they are known to reduce noise pollution.
If you’d like help choosing the right boiler for you, we have put together a blog with ‘The best boiler brands on the market’ where we discuss a range of boiler brands and break down what makes them popular, from Which? Awards to reputation, let us help you decide the best boiler brand for you.
Why should you choose Swale Heating to install your new boiler?
We have over 50 years’ of experience within the heating industry and maintain over 140,000 homes across the South East, London and East Anglia. Our engineers are Gas Safe and MCS certified, and we pride ourselves on offering outstanding customer service.
Ready for a new boiler? Get an estimated price and book an appointment for a time that suits you, using our handy online estimator.
If you’d more information on boiler installations, we have put together a guide explaining ‘what to expect from a boiler installation’.
Information source
***Based on installing a new A-rated condensing boiler in England, Scotland and Wales with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs) in a gas-heated detached home from an older G-rated boiler with a programmer and room thermostat. Figures are based on fuel prices as of April 2022. Savings will vary depending on the size and thermal performance of your home.