An expert has revealed one simple change you can make to a room that could help you cut energy costs as temperatures plummet.
Millions of Brits will be keeping the heating on for longer periods this winter as temperatures plunge across the UK.
However, with energy prices spiralling, this is becoming more and more costly.
In fact, one recent survey found that over 1.7 million households will not turn on their heating this winter, an increase of nearly 75% since last year. Over half said this was due to higher energy costs.
But Brits trying to save as much cash as possible may be tempted to flick the switch just for a short while thanks to this effective little trick.
According to a specialist from Your Plumber, how you lay out your room is vital for channelling warmth in living spaces. This can help you get the most bang for your buck when the heating is on.
The key thing, the professional stresses, is ensuring nothing is blocking your radiators.
Moving large furniture away from your radiators is advised to ensure the heat reaches your room and isn’t being absorbed by these objects.
The move will “reflect the heat back into the room,” speeding up the heating process and keeping the temperature warm for longer.
It also helps to “bleed your radiators”. You can feel each radiator to check it warms uniformly, rather than just at the base, to see if bleeding is needed.
According to Noel Gillis from Home Mechanics, this is a “straightforward” five-minute task that you can do at home now, provided you have the correct tools.
The tools needed include a radiator bleeding key, which is available online or from any DIY store. You’ll also need a cloth rag to catch water, as well as old towels or dust sheets to protect flooring, especially carpets.
Households can also adjust heating timers to help ensure their house only warms up when needed, especially if their working patterns have changed and they spend less time at home during the day.
Many modern thermostats enable you to set different temperatures at different times, with separate programmes for weekends, which helps to effectively manage your heating needs.