How an empty chip bag and bubble wrap can save you 10% on your energy bill
With energy bills set to rise by as much as 10% next month, households with limited resources are faced with a choice: how do you stay warm at home? Or how do you save money?
Luckily, a boiler guru came along just in time to share a cost-effective trick that will keep you nice and warm without costing you a fortune.
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Boiler cover UKHeating guru, Mark McShane, has revealed the truth about how an empty bag of crisps can improve the performance of your radiator, leading to a cosier home and lower energy bills, My London reported.
To increase the temperature, you must first clean a chip bag and secure it with double-sided tape.
He instructed him to place the package, shiny side out, behind the radiator.
Mark explains: “By placing reflective material, such as an empty crisp bag, behind your radiators you can bounce the heat back into your room rather than it escaping through the walls.
“It’s a simple and cost-effective way to get the most out of your heating.”
As temperatures slowly but surely drop, this cheap trick could come in handy for thousands of cash-strapped households across the country.
The heating expert gave the tip to leave the oven door open when you have finished preparing a delicious meal.
This simple but effective tip will ensure that residual heat is distributed throughout the kitchen, instead of being lost when the oven is closed.
Mark also recommended using bubble wrap on windows as insulation that is easy to carry in your bag, and wearing extra layers of clothing inside to stay warm.
The heating expert urged Britons to wait until at least the end of October before turning on their heating.
He warned: “It’s a good strategy to turn on your heating at the end of October. This will prepare you for the colder weather and at the same time avoid the risk of frozen pipes.
”Setting the thermostat to a minimum of 10 degrees prevents your pipes from freezing, which can lead to expensive repairs.”
Mark shared his expertise and advised UK residents to ensure their heating systems are in tip-top condition, and suggested that upgrading your thermostat could help prevent energy wastage.
Another useful tip he gave was to make your home draught-free, so that the heating and warmth stays inside during the colder days.
By taking these measures now in the autumn, struggling households can reduce their heating consumption when winter arrives.
By turning down the thermostat just 1 degree, you can reduce your energy bill by as much as 10%, he said.
It comes after it was revealed that millions of people will be hit by a £149 increase in their energy bills when Ofgem’s new price cap comes into effect in a few weeks.
From 1 October, around 29 million people on their supplier’s standard variable tariff will see their bills rise from £1,568 a year to £1,717 a year.
