Money expert Martin Lewis has offered valuable advice to help households stay warm during the winter season, including a practical tip that could lead to significant savings.
Given the current challenges with the cost of living, finding ways to heat your home without breaking the bank is crucial. Recent energy price hikes have made heating bills even more burdensome for many families.
Martin suggests a simple yet effective method to enhance heating efficiency this winter. By installing foil behind your radiators, particularly on external walls, you can boost heat retention. While specialized radiator foil is available, regular aluminum foil can also serve the purpose.
To implement this hack, measure the gap between your radiator brackets and cut the foil accordingly. Secure it in place using double-sided tape when using standard foil. This cost-effective solution comes in rolls of heat reflector foil priced at less than £10 in various stores.
Apart from this tip, Martin advises turning off radiators in unused rooms before switching on the heating to avoid wasting energy and money on empty spaces. Adjusting the flow rate on your boiler can lead to gas bill reductions of over 9% without sacrificing comfort.
Before starting your heating system, it’s recommended to clean your radiators thoroughly. Dust accumulation reduces their effectiveness by acting as an insulator, hindering airflow and forcing the system to work harder to warm a room.
Additionally, ensure there is at least a one-foot gap between your radiators and large furniture like sofas to facilitate quicker heating. Bleeding radiators before the onset of winter helps remove trapped air and allows hot water to circulate efficiently.
In line with efficient heating practices, Martin emphasizes the importance of heating individuals rather than entire homes unnecessarily. To stay warm without excessively heating your house, consider using affordable items like USB gloves (£10), a Microwaveable wheat bag (£4), and heated insoles (£10).
Other heating devices recommended by Martin’s team include an electric gilet (£50 with battery pack), an electric foot warmer (£25), and an electric single blanket (£35). Layering clothing is also advised as a cost-effective way to stay warm, utilizing items you already own like multiple T-shirts or repurposed old tights worn under trousers for added insulation.