People struggling with energy bills this winter are being urged to try some simple steps to save money. And one of them involves tin foil or a packet of crisps.
With the latest Ofgem price cap hike squeezing UK household budgets, many people are desperate to find ways to save money this winter. And now energy-saving advice is being offered that might do just that.
It’s the sort of thing that people call a ‘hack’ nowadays. But whatever you want to label it, it might just be worth a go after Ofgem raised the energy cap this month.
And it won’t cost a lot. £1, in fact, could be all you need. The team at The Underfloor Heating Store is bigging up the £1 tin foil technique – although an inverted, cleaned crisp packet might work just as well.
The company says: “Covering the back of your radiators with tin foil is a cheap way to help retain heat in your home. The foil acts as a reflector and reflects heat back into the room to prevent it escaping through any external walls. To do this, simply cut the foil a bit smaller than the full size of your radiator and use tape to secure it onto the back of the radiator. Alternatively, you can wrap cardboard in foil and place this behind the radiator for a sturdier fit.”
Regulator Ofgem has raised the average household energy bill by £149. The price cap has gone up by 10% from £1,568 for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,717.
Many homeowners may also not realise that stylish renovations that involve getting rid of carpets could be making their homes chillier by reducing insulation. This can lead to increased heating costs as warmth escapes through less insulated floors, reports Devon Live.
However, a simple £5 sealant can address this issue effectively, the same company says. The firm explained: “One way to help retain heat within your floors is to use floor sealant to fill any cracks and gaps. Floor sealant can be purchased for around £5 and works as a draught proofer for rooms and can be used on original flooring, laminate or tiles. You can also buy sealant for other interior features, too, such as door frames and skirting boards to increase heat retention within the home.”
They have also shared a tip that hinges on the timing of your curtain use. They suggest opening curtains with the sunrise and closing them after sunset to maximise warmth.
The firm 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.”