It’s getting to that time of year when many of us want to spend the evenings cosying up at home, but one simple trick could lead to making your home warmer for less money. Advice has recently been shared by Which?, suggesting that adding a simple household item to the radiator could lead to boosting the heat in your property.
If you’re looking for ways to warm up easily and save money at the same time, it may be worth trying out the hack. It’s worth noting that Martin Lewis also approves of it, so it’s recommended by a number of energy saving professionals.
It’s quite simple to try out if you want to give it a go. There are also some other radiator changes you can make to spend less this winter too.
In a clip shared on TikTok, it was explained: “Putting foil behind radiators allows the heat to be reflected back into the room. This is particularly effective on external walls.
“You can pick up radiator reflector foil for around £8.00. It’s padded and usually has an adhesive backing, so it’s really easy to install, but kitchen foil also works as a low cost alternative.”
In the clip, it was explained all you need to do is measure the distance between the brackets on your radiator, and then cut the foil to size. If you’re using normal foil you can use double-sided sticky tape to secure it in place.
The video has been viewed hundreds of times since it was shared, and people were quick to comment too. They admitted they’re looking at all sorts of ways to save on bills.
One person said: “Just did this at the weekend. Will be interesting to see come the end of winter if it’s helped make a difference.”
Another added: “Sad that we have got to this point.” A third replied: “Can’t afford to put my radiators on, let alone buy that stuff.”
But, even though you may be impressed by the handy tip, it’s actually been around for a while. It was shared by someone who really knows their stuff about energy saving a few years ago.
It was back in 2022 that Martin Lewis first tipped people off about this thrifty heating hack on his show, the Martin Lewis Money Show Live. He revealed that putting foil behind your radiator could reflect back some much-needed warmth into your home.
While bargain hunters can pick up specialist radiator foil, Martin mentioned that regular tin foil does the job well, and is also much cheaper. However, not everyone’s convinced by the science, as some claim there’s not enough evidence to support the theory.
Nevertheless, many people have praised the trick online. Previously, one person said: “It works well. Done it since the 80s. Also, put thick aluminium foil on the ceiling.
“The room becomes even warmer as you don’t lose heat to the flat upstairs.” Meanwhile, another chimed in with: “People have been doing this for donkeys years.”
Previously, Martin also revealed another tip – putting cling film over single glazed windows could trap air and reduce heat loss. This handy hack might even cut down on those pesky condensation streaks that form when warm air hits chilly glass surfaces.
