In Belgium, an average household that heats with gas consumes around 15,000 kWh of gas per year. This adds up to a considerable expense and about 50% of your energy bill!

Cutting down on your gas bill is possible. Here are 10 tips to help you use less energy without giving up on your creature comforts.

1. Insulate your roof

Possible savings: several hundred euros per year

Hot air rises. That’s why a poorly insulated roof means significant heat loss and wasted energy. A poorly insulated roof causes up to 30 % heat loss in a semi-detached building.
Insulating a roof is not very expensive and the investment is quickly recouped. Especially since you may be eligible for grants.

Find out how to insulate your roof from the outside.

2. Opt for super-insulating glazing

Possible savings: between € 100 and 200 per year

In a poorly insulated house, a large part of the heat escapes through the windows. Choosing the right glazing is therefore crucial.

Super-insulating glazing, or high-performance glazing, is now replacing conventional double glazing. Its insulation capacity is 2 to 3 times greater, thanks to a layer of gas between the two panes and a film of iron oxide.

There is even triple glazing, which is even more efficient.

Find out how to choose your glazing

3. Insulate your walls

Possible savings: between € 100 and 200 per year

Avoid heat loss by properly insulating your walls. A well-insulated room heats up more quickly and cools down less quickly. You will also avoid humidity problems!
There are several different ways of insulating your walls: from the outside, from the inside, with different materials..

4. Replace your boiler

Possible savings: up to 30% of your bill

Is your boiler more than 15 to 20 years old? Even if it still works, it is worth replacing it with a newer condensing model. In fact, the new models make it possible to save up to 30% of your gas consumption. It can sometimes pay for itself within 5 to 6 years.

5. Set your heating control correctly

Possible savings: up to 25 % of your bill

Investing in an efficient heating system is the first step. But you have to learn how to get the most out of it. 

• With the aid of your room thermostat, you can already fine-tune the programming of your heating to adapt it to your lifestyle and avoid heating when it is not necessary.
• In addition, do not hesitate to install thermostatic valves. This gives you ideal control over your installation.
• Finally, don't forget to bleed your radiators regularly.

Find out everything you need to know about adjusting your heating system.

6. Optimise your hot water usage

Do you heat your domestic hot water with gas? You can apply some best practices to cut down on your consumption, without giving up on your creature comforts

• take a shower instead of a bath
• reduce the time spent in the shower by 2 minutes
• insulate the hot water pipes
• set the boiler to 55°C
• replace your shower head with an economical model...

7. Turn the thermostat down one degree

Possible savings: 7% of your bill

Lowering the thermostat by one degree and wearing a sweater: it may come at the cost of your comfort, but this is a completely free way of reducing your heating bill!

8. Place a heat reflector behind your radiators

Possible savings: several dozen euros per year

If your walls are not insulated from the inside, it may be useful to place a reflective panel against the wall behind your radiators to reflect heat back into the room. You can find panels of this type for a few dozen euros in DIY stores.
The savings won't be huge, but it's better than nothing!

9. Caulk doors and windows with rubber seals

Possible savings: a few dozen euros per year

Are your doors and windows draughty and you don't have the budget to replace them right away or are you renting? If the gaps are small, you can already limit draughts by applying a simple self-adhesive rubber seal.

Another option is to insulate the bottom of your doors with nylon bristles in the form of a brush or opt for the classic door snake.

10. Insulate your heating pipes

Ready-to-use sleeves specially designed for insulating heating pipes can be found in DIY stores for around €1 to €4 per metre. Easy to install, it's a small gesture within everyone's reach. You can also attach a piece of glass wool around the pipes yourself.

But also...

• Air your home regularly (but briefly so as not to cool it down) to reduce the humidity level.
• Avoid placing objects on or in front of your radiators.
• Consume less energy when cooking (if you cook with gas).
• Use a space heater in the spring and autumn.