Andy Kerr, the founder of boiler supplier BOXT, has shared eight of his top tips for saving on your heating bills this winter as a remote worker.

With colder days approaching fast, remote workers will be wondering how they can keep their heating bills down at home as bills soar. Here a heating expert offers eight tips for keeping warm whilst saving money, and whether you should head into the office instead.

Remote workers reportedly use up to 75% more gas per day over the winter months and 25% more electricity than those who travel into the office five days a week, according to recent analysis from price comparison site Uswitch. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s cheaper to brave the commute due to record rises in public transport costs.

Andy Kerr, the founder of boiler supplier BOXT, has said that for some workers outside of London driving to the office will be the cheaper option than heating their homes. He said: “While going into the office will help to save money on your energy bills, public transport costs have also risen this year - early this year we saw the largest rise in rail fares in nearly a decade - meaning if you choose to go into the office, you might actually not be saving any money, but rather spending more.

“Despite fuel prices also increasing, research by StartUps.co.uk has shown driving to the office, instead of working from home, will save UK commuters outside of London an average of £21.16 per month.”

The expert also adds that if workers do decide to commute to the office they should speak to their manager or employer if they find the “working temperature isn’t comfortable”. Whilst there is “no law for a minimum or maximum working temperature”, the Government advice suggests a minimum of 16C.

Andy, founder of BOXT, gives his best advice to those working from home. From checking your boiler and radiators are working efficiently, to draught proofing your home, there are a number of ways you may be able to cut costs.

In winter, the days are shorter, but we can still use the natural light we have to heat our homes. Keep your blinds and curtains open to let the sun naturally heat up your home, then, once it gets dark, close them again. Your curtains or blinds act as a layer of insulation during the dark nights and keep your room warmer.

A great way to keep your home nice and warm during the cold is to reduce any drafts. You can do this by insulating the roof, walls, window sashes, and door frames. This is a great way to lower your heating costs as you won’t need your heating on as high.

Smart meters can help you better understand your energy usage via the in-home display that comes with them. With more information on your day-to-day energy use, you can see when you’re using the most energy, and identify ways to cut back and in turn, save money.

Installing thermostatic radiator valves and using them with your thermostat could save £75 per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. They recommend using the thermostat to control the heat in your main living space and using thermostatic radiator valves to lower the heating in rooms you don't use as often. So, while you’re working from home you can keep the temperature comfortable in the room you work in, and reduce it in other areas to avoid heating up rooms when they’re not being used.

Making sure your radiators are running efficiently is an easy way of avoiding wasted energy. Firstly, carefully check to see if there are any cold spots on the radiators while your heating is turned on. If there are, then it means there is air trapped in the system which leads to reduced efficiency.

Bleed your radiators to release the air and get your heating system running more efficiently. Removing any obstructions, such as furniture, from in front of your radiators helps to ensure no heat is wasted.

Keeping your doors closed will reduce the airflow in your home. This helps each room stay warmer for longer.

It’ll only take a couple of seconds and it could save you a lot of hassle. Examining your boiler’s pressure level is a must as it will give you a good idea of what state your heating is in. If the gauge is in the red zone (too high or too low), then your hot water and heating will cut off.

Don’t panic, though - this can happen sometimes, and your pressure will simply need topping up. If this happens regularly, then it may be a sign that you’ve had a leaky radiator or in the worst case, you’ll need to start thinking about a new boiler.

Don't be afraid to put the heating on, just try and keep the temperature consistent. Check your thermostat and timer on your heating system so the temperature is constant all day and night. This makes sure that your home is at a comfortable temperature throughout the day rather than having the thermostat unnecessarily high.