HEATING HACK
My £1.40 trick can slash energy bills by £100 – it’s easy to install so you won’t need to turn up the thermostat
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AN EXPERT has revealed how you could help slash your energy bills by £100 this winter with a simple trick that costs as little as £1.40.
After the clocks went back this weekend, the evenings suddenly feel dark and old, and many will be tempted to crank up the thermostat.
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But there’s a simpler and much cheaper way to keep your home warm, according to property expert Angela Kerr from the HomeOwners Alliance.
Ms Kerr recommends putting a strip of silver foil behind your radiators to reflect heat back into your room rather than letting it escape through your walls.
“This reduces heat loss and means you’re not wasting energy," she explained.
You might already have some silver foil tucked away in a kitchen drawer, but if not, a basic roll costs just £1.40 at Tesco.
Read more on money-savers
For a quick fix, you can just wrap the foil around a piece of cardboard and place it behind your radiators.
Angela added: “You simply cut the foil to size and slot it behind the radiator.
“Use double-sided sticky tape to keep it in place. In my home, one roll was enough for five radiators.”
But Angela suggests spending a little more on heat reflector panels, which are designed specifically for this purpose.
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A roll from Screwfix costs £7.50, and it’s easy to install.
Martin Lewis explains how to slash your energy bills
This simple trick could make a big difference, especially with energy prices still high.
Plus, it’s a one-time investment – no ongoing costs, no maintenance needed. Once it’s in place, you can sit back and enjoy a warmer home without any extra effort.
HOW IT COMPARES
It's always worth comparing prices to make sure you're getting the best deal.
While Tool station offers 5m for £19, £3.80 a metre , B&Q offers 5 metres for £14.95, which works out at £2.99 per metre.
It still makes Screwfix the cheapest option, priced at £7.51 for 4m, it works out at around £1.86 per metre.
How to save money on energy bills
SWITCHING energy providers can sound like a hassle - but fortunately it's pretty straight forward to change supplier - and save lots of cash
Shop around - If you're on an SVT deal you are likely throwing away up to £250 a year. Use a comparion site such as MoneySuperMarket.com, uSwitch or EnergyHelpline.com to see what deals are available to you.
The cheapest deals are usually found online and are fixed deals - meaning you'll pay a fixed amount usually for 12 months.
Switch - When you've found one, all you have to do is contact the new supplier.
It helps to have the following information - which you can find on your bill - to hand to give the new supplier.
- Your postcode
- Name of your existing supplier
- Name of your existing deal and how much you payAn up-to-date meter reading
It will then notify your current supplier and begin the switch.
It should take no longer than three weeks to complete the switch and your supply won't be interrupted in that time.
MORE SAVING TIPS
Since the energy price cap rose by 10% in October, average bills now stand at £1,717 a year, with some households paying even more.
Every little helps, and this hack could allow you to turn your thermostat down a notch without sacrificing warmth.
According to experts, reducing your thermostat by just one degree can save you £100 a year on energy bills.
Many people unknowingly set their thermostats too high, with the Energy Saving Trust recommending a temperature between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius as comfortable.
Angela’s foil trick isn’t the only way to cut energy costs.
She said: “If your radiators have cold spots, they might need bleeding to work more efficiently".
Make sure you’re not blocking them with furniture, too – clear space allows for better airflow and heat distribution.
Another way to save is by turning down your boiler’s flow temperature.
She advises: “If you’ve got a combi boiler, lowering the temperature to 60 degrees Celsius could help you save".
Many boilers are set higher than necessary, wasting energy and money.
And don’t forget to check your hot water tank.
Fitting an insulating jacket could save the average semi-detached household £165 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Even if your tank is already insulated, topping up the insulation can still save you around £35 annually.
For just £7, you can also fit draught-proofing tape around your windows and doors to keep the cold out and the warmth in.
The HomeOwners expert warns that “A draughty home lets out the heat you’ve paid for", so it's vital you drought-proof to make the most of your money.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
And for extra warmth, she recommends investing in thermal curtains, available from Dunelm for as little as £15.
With energy bills soaring, these simple steps could save you hundreds this winter – all for just a few pounds.
Heat-saving gadgets
If you’re looking for more ways to stay warm this winter, Aldi has a range of winter essentials hitting stores soon.
For instance, the Ambiano Heated Throw, priced at £29.99, is another great buy to keep the chill at bay.
The heated throw, available in Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Cream, features nine adjustable temperature levels and is machine washable once the cable is removed.
It costs just 4p an hour to run, making it an affordable and cosy option for those frosty evenings.
Aldi claims using the heated throw for a couple of hours a night would only cost around 56p a week – meaning you could keep warm for a whole year for under £30.
If you’re after more comfort, Aldi is also offering the Silentnight King Size Thermal Mattress Cover for just £11.99.
This teddy fleece mattress topper adds an extra 3 tog of warmth, perfect for cold winter nights.
It's machine washable and tumble dryer safe, so keeping it clean is a breeze.
The Superfoil Radiator Reflector, Ambiano Heated Throw, and Silentnight King Size Thermal Mattress Cover will all be available in Aldi stores from October 13.
As with all Aldi Specialbuys, these items are only available while stocks last, so it’s worth getting to your nearest store early to avoid disappointment.
You can check where your nearest Aldi store is using their store finder tool on the Aldi website.
Whether you’re looking to improve your home’s insulation or simply snuggle up with a heated throw, Aldi’s range of budget-friendly products has you covered this winter.
If you’re keen to stay warm and save money, these bargains are well worth snapping up before they’re gone.
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