BILL BOOST
My simple £1 remedy for fixing window and door draughts – it can cut energy bills by up to £150 a year
Watch our video to find out how you can save cash on your energy bills this winter
WITH winter on the horizon, many of us will be contemplating cranking up the heating to keep our homes warm.
But with energy expenses having been hiked up at the start of October when the price cap rose by 10% – pushing average bills up from £1,568 to £1,717 – if you do notch up the thermostat, this will come at a cost.
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The good news is, there’s a budget-friendly way to keep your home cosy this winter.
This is according to Laura Court-Jones, an energy expert at comparison site, Bionic, who has come up with a simple and affordable insulation tip - caulk.
She told The Sun: “Using caulk to seal gaps is an easy way to save money on heating bills by closing off the spots where warm air escapes and cold air creeps in.”
This flexible material, commonly used by decorators, can be used to seal air leaks through small cracks, gaps or joints.
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At Wickes, you can pick up a 300ml tube for £1.30. Caulk is also on sale at B&Q for £1.50.
Ms Court-Jones said: “Caulk is an affordable sealant that, when used correctly, can make a big difference to your home’s comfort.
This is an effective way to keep draughts at bay.
For me, this product is a bit of a no-brainer.”
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Rather than turning up the thermostat, caulk will mean you can lower bills by keeping the cold out – and the warmth in.
Figures suggest using caulk could help you reduce bills by between 5% and 10% a year, translating into potential savings of around £150.
What is the energy price cap?
Laura said: “You simply apply it to gaps around windows and doors to keep out chilly draughts.
This should mean you can use your heating more sparingly.”
The key to successfully using caulk to save money on your bills lies in applying it correctly.
First off, you need to ensure the surface where you plan to use it is clean, dry and smooth.
If there is any old caulk residue already there, remove this first.
If not, it can be difficult to get the new caulk to adhere properly.
You can scrape this away with a utility knife.
Alternatively, you could look at buying caulk remover solution.
Once you’re ready to go, you need to create a so-called caulk bead at the tip of your tube, and then simply apply the adhesive to any gaps to seal them.
The best approach is to start small and increase this later if you need to.
After applying it, you can then use the back of a plastic spoon – or your fingers – to smooth the bead so you have an even seal.
Be patient, as the caulk needs time to dry before you embark on painting over it.
By waiting several days, you can be sure of a lasting and airtight seal.
Laura said: “Once it’s dry, caulk forms a protective barrier against air leaks, helping to keep your home cosy – and reducing the amount of energy needed for heating.”
As an added bonus, caulk can also work as a defence against mould damage.
It does this by preventing moisture from seeping into walls and floors.
When choosing your caulk, look for silicone or acrylic-latex product with mould resistance.
Also be aware that even though decorator’s caulk is usually white, it can be stained to match your interiors if you so wish.
More simple energy-saving hacks
Using caulk to block draughts is not Laura’s only tip to keep a lid on bills.
She has come up with a host of other ‘quick wins’ to help make your home cosy – and more energy efficient.
“Another easy way to save money is by laying rugs and by hanging thermal curtains or blinds,” said the energy aficionado.
“Soft furnishings such as these can all add an extra layer of insulation, keeping heat in and cold out.”
When shopping for rugs, Dunelm has some great options from around £30.
Laura is also a big fan of fabric draught excluders for gaps under your doors.
She said: “These are great at preventing cold air from entering and heat from escaping.”
You can pick up a draught excluder relatively cheaply.
At Tesco, you can buy one for £11 while at Asda, prices start from £12.
Better still, why not fashion your own so you don’t have to fork out at all.
A simple way to do this is by stuffing rags into the legs of an old pair of tights.
Old towels placed at the bottom of your doors can also do the trick.
While you’re at it, don’t forget that letterboxes and keyholes can also let cold air in.
Think about getting a letterbox brush as well as metal keyhole covers to keep the heat in and the chilly air out.
If you have a cat flap that blows open, consider buying a magnetic flap, as this will solve the draught problem – while still allowing your pet to come and go.
Another simple hack from Laura involves maximising natural daylight when you can.
“The days may be getting shorter, but there’s still plenty of hours during the day when you can open blinds and curtains and let sunlight in,” she said.
“This will heat your living space naturally, meaning you don’t have to turn your heating on as much.”
The energy-saving pro also recommends hanging mirrors opposite windows.
She said: “This can reflect and distribute sunlight, enhancing brightness and warmth throughout your room.”
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Finally, Laura reminds households to switch off lights and appliances.
She said: “This may sound simple, but doing this can help reduce your energy bills, especially in winter.”
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
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