Your radiators are in the wrong place and it’s adding £100 to energy bills a year – how to save without moving them
HOUSEHOLDS across the country are readying themselves for winter as the colder weather creeps in.
But millions might not be aware where their radiators are placed could be adding £100 to yearly bills.
Making small tweaks to where the devices are put can have big implications on your budget.
The Sun spoke to Nicholas Aukland, energy expert at Trade Radiators, who revealed where you should NOT be putting the heating units.
Nicholas explained how you don't want to place your radiators behind a sofa, bed or other large, soft furnishing which will absorb the heat.
He said: "The furnishing will take in all the heat, and prevent it from circulating around the room.
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"This could be costing you over £100 a year, especially if you find that you feel the need to constantly turn the heating up just so you can feel it better."
Nicholas also said you want to sway away from installing your radiators by a door or exit where any heat produced will escape.
He warned: "You could lose 50% of your room's heating by doing this."
Where should your radiator be?
Nicholas said the main place you want to put your radiator is under the window, which is the "usual go to" spot.
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This is because the cold air will enter through the glass and can be heated then circulated around the room.
But, again, be careful not to do anything to block the hot air rising.
Nicholas explained: "This can be less effective if (the radiator) is covered by curtains, so having them finish just above the radiator is ideal.
He added: "It's important to remember that hot air rises so if you can trap and contain the heat downstairs at the lowest points in the home, it’s more effective.
"More radiators downstairs may be more beneficial than more radiators upstairs."
What to do if you can't move your radiator
There's some things you can do if your radiator is already in the wrong place and you can't move it.
Make sure you reduce draughts under any doors with draught excluders and keep windows closed to prevent any loss of heat.
Meanwhile, keep internal doors closed where possible and seal up any cracks in windows.
In essence, any avenue that could lead to heat escaping from a room should be blocked.
If you've got a sofa or other soft furnishing in front of your radiator, do what you can to leave a small gap in between.
Plus, you could potentially save money by using an electric heater instead of a radiator.
How else to save on your heating bills
Beyond small changes to your radiators, you can earn money to cover heating bills too.
There's also a host of targeted support available, including cost of living payments and energy bill vouchers.
The Government is issuing millions of households with a £300 cost of living payment within just weeks.
It is the second instalment of three, totalling £900.
You will receive the payment automatically if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension credit
Meanwhile, millions of pensioners are in line for a Winter Fuel Payment top up this winter.
Anyone eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment will automatically receive the top up.
You qualify for this year's Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 25, 1957.
Meanwhile, you might be able to get help paying for energy bills via the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is worth £842million.
Help is being distributed by local councils in England, so what you are entitled to varies depending on where you live.
But, in most cases you will be in line for help if you are on benefits or a low income.
You might be in line for a direct bank transfer or even energy vouchers.
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You should contact your local council to see what help you can get.
You can find your nearest council by using the Government's council locator tool on its website.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.