A HEATING expert has revealed a simple trick homeowners can do to make their homes cosier this autumn, for just £1.
Summer now appears to be well and truly over, and many of us have likely been struggling to keep warm this week as we are battered with a deluge of wind and rain.
With rising bills, it can be tricky to keep warm in the cold winter months[/caption]
It may be tempting to turn the heating on at the first sign of autumn, however with energy bill having risen from October 1 and the Winter Fuel Payment scrapped many of us will be doing all we can to keep costs down.
With this in mind, experts at The Underfloor Heating Store have revealed some budget friendly hacks for keeping you home toasty.
Foil Behind Radiators
Covering the back of your radiators with foil takes just 10 seconds, and could greatly improve the temperature of your room.
“The foil acts as a reflector and reflects heat back into the room to prevent it escaping through any external walls”, the expert revealed.
To try out this hack, simply cut out a strip of foil that is the same length as your radiator, and use tape to secure if to the back.
“Alternatively, you can wrap cardboard in foil and place this behind the radiator for a sturdier fit”, the expert added.
Foil is super cheap, and you can pick it up from the supermarket, for around £1.
Seal Cracks In Floorboards
Stripping floors back to their original floorboards has become a popular trend this year.
However, floorboards can lack insulation and increase air flow, making the room feel colder.
To help retain heat within your floors, you can pick up floor sealant for around £5, and use it to fill in any gaps or cracks.
“Floor sealant works as a draught proofer for rooms and can be used on original flooring, laminate or tiles”, the expert said.
“You can also buy sealant for other interior features, too, such as door frames and skirting boards to increase heat retention within the home.”
Opening And Closing Curtains
If you are completely strapped for cash, here’s one hack that you can do without spending a penny.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
In the day time, make sure your windows are open, and keep them closed at night.
The expert said: “Allowing natural light and sunlight into your home will aid in keeping your house warmer throughout the day, whilst closing them in the evening will help to retain the heat when the nights draw cooler.
“Furthermore, curtains in heavy fabrics such as suede, velvet and cotton are great for trapping heat whilst floor-length curtains help with added insulation and keep window drafts from entering the room.”
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