Let’s be honest, living in Surrey is lovely, but those energy bills? Not so much. Whether you're in a Victorian semi in Guildford or a newer build out in Farnham, we’re all looking for ways to keep the heat in and the costs down. At Heat Eco Building Services, we see the same mistakes over and over again. People think they’re doing the right thing, but they’re actually letting money: and warmth: leak out of their homes every single day.
Michael Randall here, and I’ve spent years looking at how we can make our local homes more sustainable. It’s not just about big fancy gadgets; it’s about the simple stuff we often miss. We’ve put together this guide to help you stop making these common blunders and start future-proofing your home.
1. Ignoring the "Hidden" Draughts in Your Walls
You might have double glazing and a thick front door, but did you know your walls could be breathing out your expensive heating? One of the biggest mistakes we see is overlooking the small stuff.
Take weep holes and poorly sealed window frames, for instance. These can cost you anywhere from £40 to £200 a year. Those tiny holes in the brickwork are there to let the building breathe, but if they aren't maintained or if the sealant around your frames has started to perish, cold air just funnels right in. Then there’s the electrical sockets on external walls. They act like little chimneys, pulling warm air out and drawing cold air in from the wall cavity. It sounds minor, but across a whole house, it adds up.
How to fix it: Walk around your home and feel for those tiny draughts. Resealing window frames is a quick win. For the sockets, we often suggest looking at better insulation behind the plates. It’s these small tweaks that make a big difference before you even think about bigger upgrades.
2. Clinging to Your Ancient Boiler
We get it. If it isn't broken, why fix it? But if your boiler is more than 10 or 15 years old, it’s probably running at about 60-70% efficiency. That means for every pound you spend on gas, 30p or 40p is just vanishing.
In Surrey, we’ve been busy helping residents switch to modern, A-rated condensing boilers. The technology has come on leaps and bounds. A new boiler installation in Farnham or Guildford can save you hundreds a year and, more importantly, it's much more reliable when the frost hits.
How to fix it: Don't wait for a total breakdown in the middle of January. If your boiler is making funny noises or your radiators take ages to warm up, it’s time for a chat about a high-efficiency replacement.
3. Placing Large Furniture Against External Walls
This is a classic. You’ve got a big, beautiful fitted wardrobe or a massive sofa, and you shove it right against an external wall to save space. What happens? You create a cold spot. Without air circulation, that wall gets cold, condensation builds up, and you might even see a bit of mould. Plus, that furniture is effectively acting as a barrier, preventing your heating from warming the room properly.
This is a huge issue in some of the older properties we work on in Bordon and surrounding areas. People think their heating is failing, but really, their furniture is just "stealing" the warmth.
How to fix it: Try to leave a small gap between furniture and external walls to let air circulate. If you’re getting new wardrobes fitted, we always recommend adding a thin layer of insulation behind them. It keeps the wall warmer and protects your clothes from that damp, musty smell.
4. Overlooking the Potential of PV Solar and Battery Storage
A lot of people still think solar panels are just for people living in the middle of nowhere. But Surrey is actually a great spot for PV solar panels. The mistake isn't just not having them; it’s not having battery storage to go with them.
If you have solar panels but no battery, you’re likely generating loads of electricity during the day when you’re at work, and then buying it back from the grid at night when you’re actually home using the oven and the TV. It doesn’t make sense!
How to fix it: If you’re looking at solar, always look at the battery storage options too. It allows you to use your own green energy 24/7. We’ve seen Guildford families drastically reduce their reliance on the grid just by making this one change.
5. Thinking Heat Pumps Aren't for "Normal" Houses
There’s a bit of a myth that Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) only work in brand-new, super-insulated eco-mansions. That’s just not true anymore. While you do need decent insulation, ASHPs are a fantastic, sustainable way to heat your home.
We’re seeing a massive uptake in heat pump installations across Farnham and Guildford. They work by taking heat from the outside air (even when it’s cold!) and moving it into your home. It’s incredibly efficient and gets you off the gas grid entirely.
How to fix it: If you’re planning a renovation or your old system is on its last legs, ask us about a heat pump feasibility study. It might be a lot easier to install than you think, especially if you combine it with underfloor heating, which works at lower temperatures.
6. Letting Your Heating System Get "Sludgy"
Who wants a nasty, cold-bottomed radiator in there house? Nobody. Over time, the water in your central heating system reacts with the metal in your radiators, creating a black sludge (iron oxide). This sludge settles at the bottom of your radiators, making them less efficient and forcing your boiler to work twice as hard.
If you’ve noticed your house feels colder than it used to, or your boiler is making a "kettling" noise, your system is probably crying out for a clean.
How to fix it: A professional Power Flush is the answer. We use a Kamco machine to circulate high-velocity water and cleaning chemicals through your system. It clears out the gunk, improves efficiency, and extends the life of your boiler. It’s one of those maintenance jobs that pays for itself in energy savings pretty quickly.
7. Forgetting the Gaps Under Your Feet
In many Surrey homes, especially the older ones with lovely timber floors, there’s a massive amount of heat loss happening right under your feet. Gaps between floorboards and under skirting boards are basically open vents to the cold void beneath your house. This can account for a loss of £60 to £400 a year!
We often see people cranking up the thermostat because their feet feel cold, when they should really be looking at sealing those gaps.
How to fix it: Use a flexible floor gap filler or DraughtEx to seal between boards. For the skirting, a bit of caulking or a dedicated draught strip does wonders. If you’re doing a bigger project, like a kitchen fitting or a bathroom renovation, that’s the perfect time to look at proper underfloor insulation or even installing underfloor heating.
Making Surrey Greener, One Home at a Time
At Heat Eco Building Services, we’re not just about fixing pipes; we’re about building a more sustainable future for our community. Whether it’s a simple power flush or a full PV solar and heat pump setup, every step you take towards energy efficiency is a win for your wallet and the planet.
If you’re worried about your energy bills or just want to see how you can make your home "future-proof," give us a shout. We’re a friendly team, and we love nothing more than helping our neighbours in Farnham, Guildford, and Bordon get the most out of their homes.
Check out our services page to see what else we can do, from garage conversions to house extensions. And if you want to see the kind of work we do, have a look at our gallery.
Don't let your hard-earned money vanish through the weep holes. Let’s get your home sorted for a sustainable Surrey!