PREPARING your home for winter can help reduce energy bills and ensure pure comfort and energy efficiency throughout the colder months.
With gas bills set to increase by 14% and electricity by 10% in October 2024, Brits will want to ensure their homes are winter-ready.
One money saving homeowner has just the trick to help others get ready for winter – and it doesn’t cost a fortune to do either.
The life hack fan, who created an account called @the.cosyclub on TikTok and dedicated it to saving on energy bills, shared a video demonstrating how to heat your home up for cheap.
They claim the trick will work so well that it will get your “house to feel like a desert this winter.”
The Cosy Club wrote: “Cosy cost cutters.
“Energy prices are crazy so we’ll keep you cosy!”
They revealed that all you will need is a piece of cardboard and tin foil, which they had bought from Tesco’s and currently costs £1.40.
Whilst demonstrating the hack, The Cosy Club said: “If you want your house to feel like a desert this winter.
“Grab an old piece of cardboard and tear off some tinfoil.
“Wrap it up and shove it behind your radiator and enjoy the extra heat.”
Heat naturally transfers from warmer areas to cooler ones, so foil reflects heat back into the room, preventing it from escaping through the wall.
Experts at Robert Dyas have also explained that you can use regular kitchen foil, but a radiator reflector foil can also help as it is designed specifically for this purpose and you won’t need to replace it so often.
Experts also urge residents to only use foil behind radiators on external walls that don’t have cavity insulation.
To ensure you have a piece of foil that fits properly so you can use it to the best of its ability, first measure the distance between the brackets that secure the radiator to the wall.
Simplify it
Next, cut a piece of foil to the appropriate size.
Attach the foil to the wall using tape, ensuring that the shiny side is facing outward.
Alternatively, you can wrap the foil around a piece of cardboard to simplify the fitting process.
The Cosy Club’s video appeared to be a popular one amongst those who are trying to save money on their energy bills as they received over 5.1 million views.
Many households in the UK struggle with deciding when to turn the heating on as temperatures drop
Experts from Your NRG
Many people rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “I am today years old, just finding this out.”
Another added: “I bought (for cheap) sheet of aluminium tin, cut to pieces, place them behind radiators during heating season, store in attic for rest of year.”
A third said: “Gas companies are going to hate this hack.
Temperature dropping
“I’ve over they’re billions in profit.”
Experts from Your NRG now suggest that the best time to switch on the heating is when the outside temperature consistently falls below 15 degrees Celsius – a point we are likely to reach by the last weekend of October.
Their experts say: “Many households in the UK struggle with deciding when to turn the heating on as temperatures drop.
“The general rule of thumb is to switch on your central heating when the outdoor temperature falls below 15 degrees Celsius. “
Your NRG experts say: “There’s often confusion over whether it’s cheaper to leave the heating on all day at a low temperature or turn it on when needed.
“In homes with poor insulation, leaving the heating on all day results in significant energy loss, as heat escapes through windows, doors, and walls. It’s usually more economical to heat your home only when required, particularly in older or draughty properties.”
“Maintaining a low, consistent heating level may seem more practical for those living in well-insulated homes, as less heat is lost and the boiler doesn’t need to work as hard.
“However, for most people, especially in less energy-efficient homes, turning the heating on only when it’s genuinely needed will save the most money in the long run.
“Remember that indoor temperatures shouldn’t fall below 15 degrees Celsius, especially if you have elderly relatives or anyone with health concerns.
“Keeping a consistent temperature of around 18 to 21 degrees during the colder months is ideal for comfort and well-being.”
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
1. Draught-proof your home
It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder.
2. Dial down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year!
3. Move furniture around
Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators.
4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin
Unless it’s bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person not the home
There’s not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.
