During the colder months, many UK households grapple with how to keep their homes warm without ramping up energy bills.
Experts agree that maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature range between 18C and 21C is optimal, yet heat can be lost through unfilled letterboxes, gaps in window frames, or even walls.
That said, David Miloshev, an accredited electrician with Fantastic Services, has revealed that there are “a surprising amount of clever little tricks you can use to keep yourself warmer and your bills lower.” He’s put together “some of the best ones” to help homeowners cut costs while staying warm, reports the Express.
Maximising natural light and warmth is one of these cost-saving measures, as David recommends: “Keep your blinds and curtains open during the hours of the day when the sun is shining towards your windows and close them when it starts to set.”
By letting sunlight in during daylight hours, you’re collecting freely available warmth to bolster indoor temperatures. David added: “Closing the curtains and blinds afterwards helps create a good insulating layer and lets you keep that free warmth you’ve gathered throughout the day.”
Thicker curtains could make all the difference in retaining heat, particularly if your windows are a bit on the older side.
With data from Safe Style Windows indicating that up to 18 per cent of a home’s total heat loss can escape via its windows, it’s clear why Helen O’Connor, product manager at 247 Blinds and 247 Curtains, highlights the importance of draught-proof curtains as a vital tool for reducing reliance on central heating.
She said: “Getting the right window dressing can help reduce your energy usage as heat loss through windows accounts for roughly 25 to 30 per cent of the energy used in our homes. On average, in winter months, we have around six to eight hours of daylight, which means that for the other 18 hours of the day, we should consider keeping our curtains and blinds shut.
“If you’re not going to be home during the day, consider keeping your curtains closed, as this will help retain the heat when you come home.”
Households are advised to pay attention not only to windows but also doors to minimise energy losses. David cautioned that cold draughts can quickly dissipate valuable warmth. He suggested: “Consider draught stoppers for your doors and windows to help solve the issue.”
David highlighted other less apparent sources of heat loss: “Any other openings to the outside world might also be causing draughts – dryer vents, electrical work, oven vents, and even keyholes and outlets can be draught-causing culprits.
“To cut down on these chilly intrusions,” he recommended, “Use keyhole and outlet covers or insulators, and make sure any other openings are well-sealed with caulking.”