With Ofgem confirming a 4% rise in the energy price cap from October, taking the typical household bill to £1,723 a year, landlords and homeowners are looking for ways to keep costs down. While the headlines focus on the rising cost of gas and electricity, heating experts at UK Radiators are urging households to make simple checks and minor adjustments before the winter chill fully sets in.

For landlords, putting these checks into action requires a flexible approach depending on whether the property is occupied. Between tenancies, landlords have the ideal window for a full overhaul. Because the property is empty, tradespeople can easily access everything from bleeding radiators to power flushing systems and upgrading valves. However, while tenants are in situ, landlords can still carry out minor, non-invasive maintenance like checking digital thermostats or encouraging quick bleed tests. As this requires entering the tenant's home, clear communication and advance notice are essential, turning energy-saving prep into a collaborative effort that benefits both parties' utility bills.

Combining basic draught-proofing with a minor tweak to the thermostat, could theoretically save about £175 a year. Crucially, these steps help guarantee you aren't paying for heat that simply escapes through gaps or gets trapped behind furniture.

Here are the key checks and changes to make before switching your heating on for winter:

• Test and bleed your radiators early: Don't wait until the first freeze to discover a cold spot. Put the heating on now to check every radiator and bleed them if trapped air is preventing hot water from circulating properly

• Check thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs): Walk around the property to ensure valves aren't stuck from months of disuse and adjust them to heat rooms according to how they are actually used

• Clear blocked radiators: Moving a heavy sofa away from a radiator allows heat to circulate freely into the room rather than warming the furniture first

• Stop drying clothes directly on radiators: Draping wet laundry over the surface restricts heat transfer. Use a nearby laundry airer or a radiator towel bar instead

• Seal the draughts: Draught-proofing around windows, doors, and floors can save about £55 a year by preventing warm air from escaping

• Lower your thermostat by one degree: Dropping the thermostat from 22°C to 21°C can save roughly £120 annually without making the property uncomfortably cold

Right now is the ideal window to tackle these minor maintenance jobs. Acting ahead of the colder weather gives you plenty of time to resolve any system issues before tenants are using the heating every day. A little proactive care today prevents emergency callouts tomorrow, keeping your property warm, energy-efficient, and your tenants happy all winter long.