As the New Year begins, many of us set resolutions for our health, our finances, and our homes. If reducing your monthly expenses is a priority for 2026, there is no better place to start than with your home heating. An efficient heating system is one of the most significant factors in lowering your household expenditure and reducing your carbon footprint.
At Brightside Heating, we encourage homeowners to make simple, actionable heating resolutions that can lead to big savings throughout the year. It’s time to move beyond the big annual service and focus on smart, daily changes.
Resolution 1: Master Your Programmer and Thermostat
This is the fastest way to save money. Stop adjusting the temperature manually and start using your settings intelligently.
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Stop Overheating: Set your thermostat to a comfortable level (e.g., 19-21°C) and leave it there. Don’t turn the thermostat up high to try and heat the room faster; it just wastes energy.
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Use the Timer: Programme your heating to switch off 30 minutes before you leave the house and switch back on 30 minutes before you return. Most houses retain heat long enough that you won’t notice the difference, but the boiler won’t be firing during empty hours.
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Heat the Person, Not the Room: As famous money-saving experts advise, put on a jumper or blanket before cranking up the thermostat.
Resolution 2: Get to Know Your Radiator Valves
Your radiators offer the perfect opportunity for room-by-room efficiency, thanks to Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs).
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Zone Your Home: Use the TRVs to regulate temperature in each room. Turn them down (or off) in spare rooms, storage spaces, or any area you don’t use regularly.
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TRVs vs. Thermostat: Remember, the main thermostat controls the boiler. TRVs control the temperature in individual rooms. If your main thermostat is set to 20°C, a TRV set to ‘3’ in the bedroom will only allow that radiator to heat up until the bedroom reaches that temperature, even if the living room is still heating up.
Resolution 3: Don’t Ignore the Annual Service
While this is an expense, it is an essential investment that saves you money in the long run.
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Preventative Maintenance: An annual service ensures your boiler is operating at peak efficiency, preventing energy waste that can easily cost more than the service itself.
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Maintain Warranty: Keeping up with annual servicing maintains your manufacturer’s warranty, protecting you from huge repair costs in the event of a major breakdown.
If your boiler is over 10 years old, your ultimate New Year’s Resolution should be to investigate a highly efficient replacement. You can find out how much a new, A-rated boiler could save you on our New Boiler Installation page.
Resolution 4: Check for Air and Leaks Monthly
Make it a habit to check your system’s simple health indicators.
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Bleed Radiators: Check for cold spots on your radiators and bleed any trapped air.
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Check Pressure: Ensure your boiler pressure remains stable in the green zone (1-1.5 bar). A consistent pressure drop is a sign of a leak, which wastes water and energy.
Call to Action
Make 2026 your most energy-efficient year yet! If you need help with your efficiency resolutions, from boiler servicing to smart control installation, Brightside Heating is here.
Call us today to schedule your annual service and start your year off right.