Stoke-on-Trent homeowners, cut your bills! Discover 10 savvy tips to save money on water and heating, from smart thermostats to leak detection. Start saving today!
1. Master Your Thermostat – The Brains of Your Heating System
Think of your thermostat as the brain of your home’s heating. If you set it right, you’ll be warm and save money. If you get it wrong, you might as well be heating the street!
Try to keep your home’s temperature somewhere between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius during the day. When you’re out or asleep, turning it down a few degrees can make a huge difference. Every single degree you lower your thermostat can actually save you quite a bit on your heating bill! Modern smart thermostats are super clever too; they learn your routine and can even be controlled from your phone. If you’re keen on getting one installed in your Stoke-on-Trent home, we can definitely help with that.
2. Unmasking the Silent Siphoners – Detecting and Fixing Leaks
Imagine a tiny drip, drip, drip – sounds harmless, right? Wrong! Even a small leak can waste hundreds of litres of water and add a surprising amount to your bill. It’s like throwing money down the drain, literally.
The sneaky places where leaks hide are often in your toilet cistern, dripping taps, or under sinks. You can check your toilet for a silent leak by putting a few drops of food colouring in the cistern. If the colour appears in the bowl without flushing, you’ve got a leak! Another trick is to check your water meter before bed and again in the morning without using any water. If the numbers have changed, there’s a leak somewhere. For those hidden, trickier leaks in your Stoke-on-Trent home that you just can’t find or fix, our team offers professional water leak detection and repair services. We’ll find it and sort it out for you.
3. Embrace the Power of Insulation – Don’t Let Heat Escape!
You want your home to be a warm hug in winter, not a sieve letting all the heat out! Insulation is your best friend here. It helps keep the warmth inside where it belongs.
A simple win is insulating any hot water pipes you can see, especially in chilly spots like your loft or garage. This makes sure the water stays hot on its journey to your tap, so your boiler doesn’t have to work extra hard. Things like draught proofing around windows and doors also really help. Sealing those tiny gaps stops warm air from sneaking out and cold air from creeping in.
4. Boiler Efficiency Boosters – Simple Checks for Big Savings
Your boiler works hard to keep you toasty and provide hot water. But just like any hardworking machine, it needs a bit of TLC to run its best. A happy boiler is an efficient boiler, and that means lower bills for you!
The number one thing is getting an annual boiler service. A Gas Safe registered engineer (like us!) in Stoke-on-Trent can spot little issues before they become big, expensive problems. They’ll make sure everything is running super smoothly and safely. Also, check your boiler pressure now and then – your boiler manual will show you how. If it’s too low, it can make your system less efficient. Another quick win is bleeding your radiators. If the top of a radiator is cold, it probably has trapped air. Letting that air out helps the radiator heat up properly, making your whole heating system work better.
5. Smart Showering Habits & Water-Saving Devices
We all love a good shower, right? But long, hot showers can really add up on your water bill. Being a bit smarter with your showering can save loads of water and energy.
Try to keep your showers a bit shorter. Maybe challenge yourself to finish in five minutes! You’d be amazed how much water you save. Another cool trick is getting a water-saving shower head. These clever gadgets use less water but still give you a great shower experience, so you won’t even notice the difference, except on your bill! We can certainly help you choose and install one if you’re looking to upgrade your Stoke-on-Trent home.
6. The Dishwasher & Washing Machine Strategy
These appliances are super handy, but they can be big energy and water guzzlers if you don’t use them smartly. It’s all about getting the most bang for your buck.
The golden rule is: only run them when they’re completely full. Seriously, don’t do half-loads! It’s just a waste. Also, always try to use the eco-friendly settings or wash your clothes at lower temperatures. Modern detergents work just as well at 30 degrees Celsius, and it uses way less energy than a hot wash.
7. Consider a Boiler Upgrade – When Old Becomes Too Expensive
Sometimes, being savvy means making a bigger investment for long-term savings. If your boiler is really old, keeps breaking down, or just feels like it’s taking forever to heat your home, it might be costing you more than you think.
Older boilers are nowhere near as efficient as the new ones available today. A new, energy-efficient boiler can cut a significant chunk off your heating bills because it uses fuel much more smartly. It’s a big decision, of course, but it often pays for itself over time in savings. If you’re thinking about a new boiler installation in Stoke-on-Trent, we can give you a free, no-pressure quote and explain all your options.
8. Power Flushing Your Central Heating System
Imagine your heating system‘s pipes are like arteries. Over time, they can get gunked up with rust and sludge. When that happens, your heating can’t flow as freely, and your boiler has to work harder.
Power flushing is a bit like giving your heating system a deep clean. We use special equipment to blast out all that old muck. You’ll know if you might need it if your radiators have cold spots, your boiler sounds noisy, or your home just doesn’t heat up as quickly as it used to. After a power flush, your heating will be way more efficient, meaning warmer rooms and lower bills!
9. Understanding Your Water Meter and Usage
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to saving money. Knowing how much water you actually use can be a real eye-opener and help you cut back.
If you have a water meter (and most homes in Stoke-on-Trent will be supplied by Severn Trent Water or South Staffs Water), learn how to read it. Your water company website usually has simple guides. Try checking it regularly – maybe once a week. This helps you spot if your usage suddenly spikes, which could point to a hidden leak! The average combined water and sewerage bill for a Severn Trent customer in 2025/2026 is around £46.33 per month, so every bit you save helps.
10. Winter-Proof Your Plumbing (and Your Wallet!)
Winter in Stoke-on-Trent can be chilly, and freezing pipes are a nightmare no homeowner wants to face. They can burst, causing huge damage and incredibly expensive repairs. But you can be a savvy homeowner and get ahead of the game!
Make sure any exposed pipes, especially outside or in cold areas like the garage, are properly insulated. If you go away in winter, leave your heating on low, or set a timer to come on for a couple of hours each day to keep things ticking over. Also, know where your main stopcock is and how to turn off your water – this is a lifesaver if a pipe does burst. A little bit of prevention now can save you a massive headache and a lot of money later.
Your Journey to a More Savvy Home Starts Now!
There you have it – ten straightforward tips to help you take control of your water and heating bills right here in Stoke-on-Trent. It’s amazing how much difference small changes can make when you’re being a savvy homeowner.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Or maybe you’ve spotted an issue that needs a professional eye, like a stubborn leak or a boiler that’s seen better days? That’s where we come in! At [Your Company Name], we’re your local plumbing and heating experts, ready to help you make your home more efficient and save you money.
Don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact us today for friendly advice or to book a service. We’re always happy to help our neighbours in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
What are your go-to tips for saving money on water and heating? Share them in the comments below – we’d love to hear them!
