For many of us, this winter is going to feel particularly cold, long and expensive. But there are steps we can take to grapple back control of our heating bill at this toughest of times.

Energy bills continue to rise and the cost-of-living crisis shows no sign of letting up, so it’s definitely worth looking at what we can do to make our lives that little bit easier.

And recent advice highlights there are a number of practical moves we can make to curb the size of our heating costs by making small tweaks to our boilers, thermostats and radiators, along with even larger adjustments that could have a big impact on what we’re paying.

Fine tune your Thermostat

If you turn down your thermostat by just a single degree, you can save up to 10% on your annual heating bill according to the Energy Saving Trust. According to the NHS, 18 degrees centigrade is a healthy living temperature for those who do not need to prioritise their comfort due to a vulnerability.

Alter your combi boiler’s flow temperature

This is another simple step that should only take a few seconds. Most boilers are set to heat 75-80 degrees centigrade, but try lowering the flow temperature to 60 degrees centigrade to see if this works for you.

Lowering the flow temperature means less gas is used which translates to immediate savings. According to the Consumer Group, taking this step could reduce an annual heating bill by just over £100.

Invest in thermostatic radiator valves

Also known as TRVs, these valves are designed to detect the temperature of the room and open or close the valve to make sure the room isn’t being kept unnecessarily warm. It’s estimated that altering your TRVs just a single setting lower can shave an extra £68 off your energy bill each year.

Consider insulating your home

Insulating your home will prove costly initially, but will ensure long term savings once the work is complete and is considered one of the most effective ways in which to gradually cut your heating bill. For example, having insulation installed in a semi-detached house would cost in the region of £500 but would save around £350 a year on energy bills according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Look into Home grants

There are a number of funds out there if you’re part of a vulnerable household and struggling to pay your energy bills.

These include the Warm Home discount scheme, which is available pensioners and involves a one-off payment of £150, and the Winter Fuel Payment which involves claiming between £100 and £300.

There’s also ECO4 – the fourth and final stage of The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – a government energy efficiency scheme for Great Britain. The scheme’s main objective is to improve the energy efficiency of low-income and vulnerable households, decreasing the energy bills for those living there and reducing the carbon footprint of the property.

Find out if you’re eligible for an ECO4 energy grant