Smart 'trick' to reduce your energy bill by €100 per year using only photo frames

HOUSEHOLDS have been given a glimmer of hope with news that gas and electricity bills may fall this spring, but until then, simple tricks can reduce your costs.

Energy costs rose last month in line with Ofgem's latest price cap.

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This has seen the typical bill rise from £1,834 to £1,928, an increase of £94.

However, the new price ceiling level for April 1 to June 30 is expected to fall from current levels when it is announced later this month, with forecasts of a further slight decline in July.

While this will be welcome news, it is important to remember that the wholesale energy market is unpredictable and prices can rise for many unforeseeable reasons.

Right now it is important to continue to take all the measures you can to keep energy costs within limits.

A simple hack you may not have thought of is simply hanging photos on the wall, says Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets & Floors.

And it could reduce your bills by hundreds of pounds depending on how much you put down.

She told The Sun: “You may not realize it, but you can use artwork to save on your energy bills.

“Strategically hanging large-scale art can provide an extra layer of insulation in your room.”

This, she explains, keeps cold air out and warm air in.

“Photo wallpaper blocks airflow through the walls while also preventing cool air from seeping in,” she said.

“It makes perfect sense to cover your walls with works of art.”

Before you worry about paying a small fortune for a masterpiece, if you don't use photos, don't worry.

You can buy some brilliant options at bargain basement prices.

Dunelm has a range of canvases, including a “treescape” (50cm x 40cm) for £6.

At Ikea you will find a number of affordable “ready-made” photos in frames, including extra large ones, such as the aluminum-colored world map (200 cm x 140 cm) for € 65.

Another good tip from Johanna is to hang large rugs on your walls to improve insulation.

“Hanging woven rugs can be especially helpful in keeping your room warm,” she says.

“This is because the size, texture and material of the rug all have insulating properties.”

According to her, this has two advantages.

“You create not only an aesthetically pleasing, but also a warm environment,” she says

The good news is that investing in a handful of rugs doesn't have to break the bank.

For example, at Wayfair the Handmade Braided Multi-Colour Rug (61cm x 91cm) has been reduced from £29 to £22.99, and there are loads of large rugs on Amazon for under £20.

At Ikea you can buy a flat-woven jute rug (120 cm x 180 cm) for €35.

Other ways to reduce your bills

While there may be better news on the horizon regarding energy bills, many consumers are still struggling to make ends meet right now as eye-watering gas and electricity costs continue to burn huge holes in household budgets.

One thing to realize is that although the price limit is currently £1,928 per year, this does not limit your total bill.

It's the average amount, which means you may pay more based on the amount of energy you use, how you pay for your energy and your meter type.

With family finances stretched to the limit, instead of turning up your heating, now is the time to cut the bills by taking action to heat your home more efficiently.

Johanna said: “As the weather has turned in recent weeks – and gas and electricity prices have risen again in January – it is important to keep warm without spending too much on energy bills.”

The good news is that you don't have to make big changes – or spend huge amounts of money – to make a big difference.

You may find that improving your home's insulation with simple changes, such as adding pictures or rugs, can allow you to turn your thermostat down a degree.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, this could save you more than £100 a year on your energy bills.

Johanna said: “Making a few changes to your home – such as art or rugs – can help you achieve optimal temperatures – and reduce your energy bills at the same time.”

The average temperature in British homes is around 20 degrees, which is one degree higher than climate experts recommend.

By turning your thermostat down a notch, you will not only save on your energy bills, but you will also reduce your carbon footprint – while keeping the temperature in your home within recommended comfortable levels.

If you're thinking about other ways to keep your home less cozy, remember that a warm carpet with a thick underlay is a very efficient way to keep rooms warm as it can provide an extra layer of insulation.

And don't forget to take measures to prevent drafts.

Thermal curtains or blinds can be great for temperature control, and it's also worth adding draft excluders to the bottom of your doors.

If you don't feel like doing this, try making your own draft stoppers by stuffing rags into the legs of old pantyhose.