As the winter chill sets in and temperatures begin to fall, keeping our homes cosy becomes a top priority. However, maintaining a warm home can be a struggle as the mercury dips into single figures, particularly if your radiators aren't performing at their best.

Common issues include cold spots at the base or top of radiators, as well as boiler problems.With the frosty season set to extend into the new year, it's time to ensure your home heating is up to scratch. Not only will this keep you comfortable, but it could also help reduce your heating bills. Ricky Sharma from Engineering Real Results (ERR), an organisation that trains tradespeople such as heating engineers and plumbers, has revealed a handy tip to help your radiators heat up quicker during the cold spell.

The key lies in taking care of your boiler. The expert explained: "If your boiler is more than 12 years old it may be worth thinking about an upgrade. Modern condensing boilers are far more efficient and could save you hundreds of pounds a year."

While it may seem like common practice, bleeding your radiators remains crucial for maintaining their efficiency and identifying potential issues early on, reports the Mirror. Ricky said: "If you've ever noticed radiators feeling warm at the bottom but cold at the top, it's usually down to trapped air. That means your heating isn't working as it should - but fear not, the fix is simple."

The engineer advises using a radiator key to carefully release trapped air, followed by checking your boiler pressure which may require adjusting. Ricky added: "It's a five-minute job that can make your whole system work much better."

Additional money-saving recommendations from the heating specialist include assessing your home's insulation performance.

"Good insulation is key to staying warm and cutting costs," said Ricky. "Draught-proofing windows and doors, topping up loft insulation and using thick curtains can all help trap warmth indoors.

He advised: "Even small tricks like putting reflective foil behind radiators on outside walls can stop heat escaping where you don't want it."

Examining your thermostat settings represents another valuable suggestion, as Ricky encouraged homeowners to take a strategic approach to their heating. "Heating controls aren't just for turning the system on and off - a programmable thermostat lets you set your heating to match your daily routine," explained the ERR expert.

"This means you won't waste energy heating an empty house. Smart thermostats take this a step further by learning your habits and even letting you adjust settings from your phone."

He added: "If you fit thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), you can also set different temperatures for different rooms. This is perfect if you don't use every space in the house all of the time."

The Energy Saving Trust suggests that reducing your thermostat by merely one degree could slash your energy costs by roughly 10% - potentially putting an average of £120 back into your wallet annually.

Ricky continued: "Most homes are comfortable at between 18C and 21C, so if you usually keep it higher try turning it down a little and adding an extra layer of clothing instead."