There’s a plethora of heating hacks out there, some useful, others not so much.
Over the years, I’ve put numerous tips and tricks to the test in an attempt to keep my home cosy, but one method proved to be particularly costly.
It may seem like a smart move to use a portable heater to warm only the area you’re occupying in your house, but it can actually end up being more expensive.
I discovered that my electricity bills soared when I used my portable heater for a few hours instead of lighting a fire, as reports RSVP Live.
While they might be handy for quick bursts of warmth, people should be cautious about leaving them on for extended periods.
This is corroborated by money-saving expert Fred Harrington, CEO of Coupon Mister, who warned: “You may need to leave a portable heater on for hours, because they are quite local in their effect and not very powerful.
“If you use a powerful one, that may send your energy bill into the stratosphere! Using portable heaters to warm the entire house can cost two to three times more than doing so with central heating.”
He pointed out that unless they’re solar powered – which wouldn’t be effective in winter anyway – portable heaters consume a lot of energy.
However, he did offer some sensible alternatives to these ‘crack-pot’ home heating money saving ideas.
Insulation:
Ensure all your windows and doors are properly insulated. This will stop warm air from escaping and cold air from entering your home, reducing the workload on your heating system and saving you money on your heating bills.
“If you don’t have double glazing or your windows are a bit old, you can put bubble wrap over window panes to keep the cold out.
“Close your window curtains when you put your heating on and tuck the curtains behind the radiator below, or on the windowsill. Thick curtains over exterior doors can also effectively prevent cold air from entering rooms,” Harrington advises.
Keep your heating on low for longer periods:
It may seem counterintuitive, but leaving your heating on all day can actually save you money.
Insulate your loft:
If you have a loft, insulate it. Heat rises, so without proper insulation, the warmth generated by your heating system (which you’ve paid for) will simply escape through the roof.
This could cause your energy bills to skyrocket, much like they would in a home with an uninsulated, draughty roof.
This is because a well-insulated house maintains a comfortable ambient temperature, meaning your heating system has less work to do and uses less energy when you need it.
Ensure equilibrium:
It’s crucial to balance your radiators or storage heaters so they all maintain a similar heat setting. It’s not uncommon for some radiators to be scorching hot while others are icy cold.
By balancing them, you can achieve a comfortable ambient heat throughout your home. You can conserve energy by turning off the heating in rooms that aren’t in use, but remember to properly insulate the doors to these unused rooms to prevent chilly drafts.
