I’m an insulation pro and my 99 cent hack will heat your home and save hundreds on bills
As the weather gets colder, if you want to keep your home warm this winter but without spending a lot of money, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place.
There’s nothing worse than having a nice evening on the couch, but being freezing cold.
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And with our wallets feeling tighter than ever before, don’t worry if the thought of turning on the heating gives you the shivers. Here’s a simple hack that will help you lower your bills without having to compromise on staying warm.
Luckily for you, an insulation expert has shared a super simple and incredibly affordable trick that can take £200 off your bills – yes, you heard that right.
Not only this, but you may even already have the secret in your cupboard – and if not, you’ll be happy to know it will only cost you 99p thanks to a purchase from Sainsbury’s.
Michael Wray out National insulation supplies shared his cost-saving hack which is cheaper than a Greggs Sausage Roll and which he claims will save 10-12% off your bills – while making your home much tastier.
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According to Michael Wray, using aluminum foil could make the difference between a very cold house and a warm one this winter.
He explained: “If you add large pieces of foil, which you can buy for £1, to the back of your radiator, the heat from your radiator will be reflected back into the room.
“The hack is even cheaper if you already have aluminum foil in your kitchen.”
According to the expert, the aluminum foil hack works on a simple principle: aluminum foil is an excellent heat reflector.
When placed behind a radiator, the foil reflects heat back into the room, rather than letting it escape through the wall.
As a result, this will effectively retain heat, making your home warmer and reducing the need for excessive heating, which will in turn save you much-needed money.
If you want to try this trick, you’ll first need to find a full roll of foil, a ruler, and a pencil.
NextCarefully measure the height and width of your radiator.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Real estate expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the cold from outside to enter your home, this is due to small openings that can let air in, so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth because it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another part of your home where heat can be lost and make your home feel cold,” he continued. “On cold days you may notice that your floor is not pleasant to walk on because your feet are freezing.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have carpet. This will provide a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, attic space, crawl spaces and under floorboards.
“Loose insulation is great for this, and it is a more affordable form of insulation, with a large bag being picked up for around £30,” explains Joshua.
4. Keep your interior doors closed
“Household members often congregate in one room in the evening, which is usually the kitchen or living room,” says Joshua.
“This means you only need to heat a small part of your home and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and mailboxes as these can let in cold air if they are not properly secured.
Use the measurements and then cut strips of foil to fit behind the radiator.
Then all you have to do is place the foil strips behind the radiator so that they are firmly attached to the wall and, if necessary, hold them in place with adhesive tape.
MORE TIPS AND TRICKS
In addition, Michael shared his other top tips to ensure your home stays warm while keeping your energy bills low this winter.
Not only should you open your curtains, but checking your insulation is also crucial.
Cheap gadgets to keep you warm
MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert shared six gadgets that can help you keep the heating off but still stay warm.
Heating “the person, not the house” means that you heat yourself instead of turning on the heat and heating the whole house.
This allows you to save money on your heating costs and you don’t have to be out in the cold.
- USB Gloves – initial cost £10, cost to use less than 1p per hour
- Heated insoles – initial cost £10, running costs less than 1p per hour
- USB hand warmers – initial cost £15, cost to use less than 1p per hour
- Electric vest – initial cost £50 (including battery pack), running costs less than 1p per hour
- Microwaveable wheat bag – initial cost £4, running cost less than 1p per hour
- Reusable hand warmers – initial cost £5 for a pair, running costs less than 1p per hour
He advised: “Make sure your entire home is well insulated to prevent heat loss through walls, windows and doors.”
In addition, he added: “Extend and draft strip around windows and doors to prevent drafts.
“Turn down the thermostat at night or when you’re not at home.
“Open curtains and blinds during sunny days so that sunlight can heat your home.”
Finally, if you don’t already have a smart thermostat, Michael explained that it might be a good idea to get one. He concluded: “Invest in a smart thermostat to automate heating and cooling settings based on your schedule and preferences.”
