Stop winter draining your wallet: 6 fixes that could save you hundreds

Andy McCann, Head of Consumer Sales at Flogas

Are your winter energy bills creeping up? With a few simple changes to daily habits and by sealing gaps around your home, you can stay warmer and pay less.

This short blog focuses on the low-cost fixes that repay fastest, so you can prioritise action that actually saves you money. Many of the most effective steps are cheap, quick to do and don’t need an engineer. Below are six practical fixes, with typical costs and seasonal savings.

Quick snapshot of typical savings

• A draught excluder, under £5, can save tens of pounds a year according to UK guidance and DIY retail pricing.
• Insulating your loft or topping up existing insulation can reduce heat loss and cut annual bills by up to £390.
• Heating controls and a basic programmable thermostat, commonly priced from around £50 to a few hundred pounds, can save over £100 a year when combined with thermostatic radiator valves.

Seal pesky draughts

Cost to fix: £5 to £30. Typical saving: tens of pounds a year.

Gaps around doors, windows and letterboxes let warm air escape. Self-adhesive draught excluder tape and brush seals are inexpensive and available from major UK DIY retailers. Doing these small jobs yourself is the cheapest route to quick payback.

Improve loft and roof insulation where you can

Cost to start: from about £100 for a DIY top up, higher for professional installs. Typical saving: modest to substantial depending on the scale of work.

Heat rises, so the loft is often the biggest source of loss. A simple DIY top up or sealing the loft hatch can cut heat loss now while you investigate larger funded schemes.

Control ventilation to avoid damp repair bills

Cost to fix: £20 for a basic control vent. Avoided cost: damp repairs can run into hundreds.

Ensure extractor fans work and consider trickle vents or timed ventilation in wet rooms. Preventing mould is a low-cost way to avoid potentially expensive repairs.

Prioritise low-cost window and door actions first

Cost options: £10 for secondary glazing film, £100 to £500 for professional seals. Typical saving for quick fixes: tens of pounds a year. Temporary measures reduce heat loss now and buy time for any major upgrades.

Use a programmable thermostat and make small temperature changes
Cost: £50 to £200 for many models. Typical saving: part of the combined heating controls saving of around £100 a year.

Set the heating to match your routine, lower the temperature when the house is empty and drop it by one degree overnight. Small adjustments make a big difference over the winter months.

Shop smart for appliances or delay where possible
Cost to replace varies. Typical saving: tens to hundreds a year depending on the appliance and usage.

If a fridge or washing machine is old and inefficient, compare running costs and the energy efficiency rating, not just the sticker price. Look out for ‘A’-rated products to help you bring energy costs down. In the meantime, use lower wash temperatures and switch off standby power for immediate gains.

How Flogas can help

Where grants or professional installers are needed, Flogas can advise on the options available. For example, the ECO4 scheme supports insulation, heating upgrades, and energy-saving controls for eligible homes, while schemes such as the Great British Insulation Scheme and the Warm Homes: Local Grant help low-income or energy-inefficient households make home improvements. While Flogas does not administer grants directly, our team can guide you on eligibility, application steps, and trusted local providers to help make your home warmer and more energy efficient.

Your weekend checklist

• Fit draught tape to one external door.
• Test extractor fans in kitchen and bathroom.
• Lower your thermostat by 1 degree and monitor for 48 hours.
• Check the condition of your appliances and shop around if replacing.

Looking for more information on how we can help and support you this winter? Read more: Future of heating your home | Flogas