After a very cold start to January with extreme weather temperatures throughout the UK, most of us will have had the heating on for longer than usual with many leaving the heating on all day, which means our boilers will have been working harder, and our heating costs will have gone up with the increased demand for energy. This will have been a particularly tough time for the UK’s poorest households and the vulnerable - according to endfuelpoverty.org., academics found that the poorest households are those least able to respond to the coldest weather.
It can be difficult to know the best financial choice when it comes to keeping warm, and each home is different. Costs depend, amongst other things, on the size and age of your building, how well-insulated it is, and the heating requirements of those living there, i.e. how warm you like your home, and how many hours you’re there and have the heating turned on.
In this blog, we’re going to compare the cost of heating your off-grid home by the different fuels available and also look at other measures you can take to keep warm throughout the winter months.
Let’s compare the average cost of off-grid heating options
The Sutherland Tables publishes data each quarter which shows the annual average cost of a range of heating options. Below is a graph published by The Sutherland Tables that compares heating costs based on a typical pre-1980, 3-bedroomed semi-detached home with a heat requirement of approximately 16,000 kWh as at September 2024.
Source: OTFEC
Whilst mains gas is included in the comparison, it is not an option for off-grid households. However, the graph also shows the heating costs for those homes that use heating oil or LPG, as well as those on electricity, that use wood pellets or have air source heat pumps in various regions throughout the UK.
Whilst mains gas is undeniably showing as the most economical option, for the many households throughout the UK that rely on domestic heating oil and LPG, it reassuring to know that heating oil comes in as a close second, followed closely on its heals by LPG, with electricity being the most expensive option.
Of course, whilst the graph shows that heating oil is a great choice for off-grid homes, the price of heating oil does fluctuate, and in 2021 we’ve saw some unprecedentedly high levels of volatility in the market due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, political unrest, and threats to supply. However, more recently, the market has become less volatile, but it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on prices to help you plan your orders and decide when’s the best time to buy your heating oil.
Now we’ll take a look at other ways to keep warm in winter:
Electric blankets
Soaring fuel prices have left many of us looking for the best ways to stay warm at home for less and electric blankets and throws have become increasingly popular. They’re great for snuggling under on the sofa on a cold winter night and getting the full benefit of the heat you’re paying for, keeping you warm, cozy and relaxed. Being low in wattage and having different temperature settings, they’re cheap to run, quick to warm up and heat just you, rather than the whole room, so are much more efficient than turning the heating on. According to Ideal Home, using the energy cap prices for January 2025, a 150w electric blanket will cost just under 4p per hour to run.
Electric blankets and throws are also great to keep you warm if you turn the thermostat down and keep the room at a lower temperature too, or turn the heating off earlier than usual, helping to maximise every penny spent. Plus, they can be a stylish addition to your home - and help ease aches and pains too. A win-win!
Portable space heaters
One of the main benefits of portable space heaters is that they allow you to heat a specific area or room rather than heating the whole house. By keeping your thermostat turned down to a low setting, you can heat the room you’re occupying, reducing your overall heating costs. They’re versatile too and can be moved from room to room, and they heat up quickly. Most have adjustable heat settings and some even include programmable timers for added convenience and energy efficiency.
If you are reliant on heating oil or LPG to fuel your home, it’s always a good idea to have a portable space heater or two as a back-up source of warmth in case you ever run out of fuel. However, the Northern Energy automatic refilling service which is available as one of the benefits of the Premium Package* for oil customers and the LPG Package for LPG customers, takes that worry away, providing you with peace of mind your fuel supply is in safe, reliable hands.
Using hot water
Hot water bottles can be a great cost-effective way to apply localised heat and help you stay warm in cold weather. A cost-effective and affordable solution to help reduce your fuel bills, they’re also great for popping in your bed before you get in it to make it warm and cozy.
As a reliable source of warmth that can be refilled and used countless times reducing waste, they’re made from durable materials and often come with a cover for safety. However, it’s important to check for signs of wear and tear such as splits and cracks or for perished rubber and also to make sure the stopper is fitting properly. If your hot water bottle is showing signs of wear and tear it should be discarded straight away but we would recommend you replace it at least every two or three years.
Hot drinks can also help keep you warm by heating you from the inside out and stimulating circulation, as well as warming your hands when you’re holding them.
Heat packs
Whilst you should never place a heat pack on bare skin when hot, they can be a practical, versatile, and useful way to keep warm, especially when used with layers of clothing for good insulation. When placed on areas such as hands, feet or your chest, back or abdomen, they can help maintain your body’s temperature, warming the blood near the skin by providing direct warmth to specific areas on your body.
There are various types available, such as heat packs that can be warmed in the microwave for next to nothing, electric heat packs, and reusable gel packs.
Keeping warm at home is important for your overall well-being, with prolonged exposure to cold temperatures being bad for your health especially for more vulnerable people with conditions such as asthma, respiratory conditions and cardiovascular diseases, which can worsen when exposed to the cold for prolonged periods of time. Of course, there are many energy-saving measures you can take to keep the warmth in and the cold out, some costly, and some of which are inexpensive but effective. Any part of your home that is uninsulated will result in heat loss and potential damp and condensation, as will gaps in window frames and doors - these can be draught-proofed with weather-stripping tape which can be bought for just a few pounds from your local DIY, and make a real difference. As do homemade draught excluders which can block draughts under doors and can be made from old clothing and stuffed with newspaper, rice, carrier bags. or even cat litter.
Looking after your boiler is also important, and having it serviced every year to keep it running in tip-top condition will ensure it is working to its maximum efficiency. This alone can save up to 10% in fuel costs, is good for the environment and it helps prevent potential faults and breakdowns.
If you need help and advice, whether on how to keep warm or when to buy your fuel, we’re just at the of the phone and here to help you weather the worst of winter. Call us on 01423 770 666 or you can email us at helpoil@northernenergy.co.uk
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