Homeowners praise £1.40 winter trick that makes your home ‘feel like a desert’
By winterizing your home, you can reduce your energy bills and enjoy optimum comfort and energy efficiency during the colder months.
With gas bills expected to rise by 14% and electricity bills by 10% by October 2024, Britons are keen to ensure their homes are ready for winter.
5
5
5
A homeowner looking to save money has discovered just the trick to helping others prepare for winter. And it doesn’t cost a fortune.
The lifehack fan, who created an account with the name @de.gezelligeclub on TikTok and dedicated to saving on energy bills, shared a video showing how to heat your home cheaply.
They claim the trick will work so well that “your house will feel like a desert this winter.”
The Cosy Club wrote: “Cozy cost savings.
READ MORE ABOUT WINTER HACKS
“Energy prices are ridiculous, so we keep it nice and warm!”
They said all you need is a piece of cardboard and tin foil, which they bought from Tesco and currently cost £1.40.
While we demonstrate the hack, The Cozy Club said: “If you want your home to feel like a desert this winter.
“Take an old piece of cardboard and tear off some aluminum foil.
“Wrap it up, tuck it behind your radiator and enjoy the extra warmth.”
Heat naturally moves from warmer to cooler places, so foil reflects the heat back into the room, preventing it from escaping through the wall.
Experts at Robert Dyas also explained that you can use regular aluminum foil, but a radiator reflector foil can also help. It is specially designed for this purpose and you don’t have to replace it as often.
Experts advise residents to only use foil behind radiators on external walls without cavity wall insulation.
To ensure you have a piece of aluminium foil that fits properly and that you can use it optimally, first measure the distance between the brackets that attach the radiator to the wall.
Make it easier
Nextcut a piece of aluminum foil to the correct size.
Attach the foil to the wall with adhesive tape. Make sure the shiny side is facing out.
You can also wrap the foil around a piece of cardboard to make it easier to apply.
The Cosy Club video proved to be popular among people looking to save money on their energy bills, with over 5.1 million views.
Many UK households are struggling with the question of when to turn on the heating as temperatures drop
Experts from Your NRG
Many people responded en masse to the comments to share their thoughts.
Someone wrote: “I’m 40 years old now and I’m just now finding out.”
Another added: “I bought a piece of aluminium foil (for next to nothing), cut it up, put it behind the radiators during the heating season and kept it in the attic the rest of the year.”
A third said: “Gas companies will hate this hack.
Temperature drops
“I have made over billions in profit.”
Experts from Your NRG now suggest that the best time to turn on the heating is when the outside temperature drops consistently below 15 degrees Celsius, a point we are likely to reach by the last weekend of October.
Their experts say: “Many UK households find it difficult to decide when to turn on the heating when temperatures drop.
“The general rule of thumb is to turn on your central heating when the outside temperature drops below 15 degrees Celsius.”
5
5
Your NRG Experts say: “There is often confusion about whether it is cheaper to leave the heating on at a low temperature all day, or to only turn it on when necessary.
“In poorly insulated homes, leaving the heating on all day results in significant energy loss as heat escapes through windows, doors and walls. It is usually more economical to only heat your home when needed, particularly in older or draughty properties.”
“Maintaining a low, constant heating level may seem more practical for people living in well-insulated homes, as less heat is lost and the boiler doesn’t have to work as hard.
“However, for most people, especially in homes that are less energy efficient, it is most beneficial in the long run to only turn on the heating when it is really necessary.
Remember that the indoor temperature should not drop below 15 degrees Celsius, especially if you have elderly relatives or someone with health problems.
“A constant temperature of around 18 to 21 degrees during the colder months is ideal for comfort and well-being.”
5 Money Saving Tips for Fall/Winter
1. Make your home draught-free
It takes time and money to heat your home, so it’s important to do as much as you can to keep the heat in. Close your doors and windows and fill any gaps with draught excluder.
2. Turn down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could reduce your heating bill by 10% and save you around £85 a year. And if you don’t have a thermostat, you could save up to £70 a year by installing one!
3. Move furniture
Make sure that there are no large, bulky pieces of furniture, such as sofas, in front of the radiators.
4. Wash the clothes at a lower temperature and add an extra spin
Unless you are dealing with bedding, towels or really dirty clothes, turn the temperature down to 20 or 30 degrees and swirl the machine twice to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person, not the house
There is no point in heating a room where no one is sitting, so pay close attention to which radiators are on.
