WITH the weather turning colder, if you want to keep your home warm this winter, but without breaking the bank, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.
There’s nothing worse than having a cosy night in on the sofa, but feeling freezing cold.
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And with our purses feeling tighter than ever before, if the thought of turning the heating on sends shivers down your spine, don’t worry, as here’s a simple hack that will help reduce your bills, without needing to compromise on staying warm.
Luckily for you, an insulation expert has shared a super simple and incredibly affordable trick that could wipe £200 off your bills – yes, you heard that correctly.
Not only this, but you may even have the secret in your cupboard already – and if not, you’ll be pleased to know it’ll cost you just 99p thanks to a Sainsbury’s buy.
Michael Wray from National Insulation Supplies shared his cost-saving hack that’s cheaper than a Greggs Sausage Roll and according to him, will wipe 10-12% off your bills – whilst making your home much toastier.
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According to Michael Wray, using tin foil could be the difference between a really cold and a toasty home this winter.
He explained: “Adding large pieces of foil, which can be purchased as little as £1, to the back of your radiator, will reflect your radiator’s heat back into the room.
“The hack is even cheaper if you have aluminium foil already in your kitchen.”
According to the expert, the tin foil hack operates on a simple principle: aluminum foil is an excellent heat reflector.
When placed behind a radiator, the foil reflects heat back into the room instead of allowing it to escape through the wall.
As a result, this effectively traps heat, making your home warmer and reducing the need for excessive heating, which in turn, will save you that much-needed cash.
If you fancy giving this trick a try, you will first need to find a full roll of foil, a ruler, and a pencil.
Next, carefully measure the height and width of your radiator.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
Using the measurements, then cut strips of the foil to fit behind the radiator.
Then all you need to do is simply place the foil strips behind the radiator, ensuring they are securely attached to the wall, and if you like, you can use adhesive tape to keep it in place.
MORE TIPS AND TRICKS
In addition to this, Michael shared his other top tips to ensure your home stays warm, whilst your energy bills remain low this winter.
Not only will you need to open your curtains, but checking your insulation is key too.
Cheap gadgets to help you stay warm
MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert shared six gadgets that can help you keep the heating off but stay warm.
Heating “the human not the home” means you warm yourself instead of turning on the heating and heating the whole house.
This can save money on your heating bill and means you don’t have to sit in the cold.
- USB gloves – initial cost £10, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Heated insoles – initial cost £10, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- USB hand warmers – initial cost £15, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Electric gilet – initial cost £50 (including battery pack), cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Microwaveable wheat bag – initial cost £4, cost to run less than 1p per hours
- Reusable hand warmers – initial cost £5 for a pair, cost to run less than 1p per hour
He recommended: “Ensure your entire home is well-insulated to prevent heat loss through walls, windows, and doors.”
In addition to this, he added: “Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and doors to prevent drafts.
“Lower your thermostat during the night or when you’re away from home.
“Open curtains and blinds during sunny days to allow sunlight to warm your home.”
Finally, if you haven’t got a smart thermostat yet, Michael explained that it might be a good idea to get one, as he concluded: “Invest in a smart thermostat to automate heating and cooling settings based on your schedule and preferences.”