HOMEOWNERS can make their property 10C warmer without having to turn the thermostat up.
With the colder weather settling in staying warm and toasty while its chilly outside is a challenge.
Especially with the current price of gas and electricity, many homes will be wanting to stay warm without having to burn money to pay for it.
It’s not advisable to let your property go cold in order to save on energy and Christmas is only a stone’s throw away
Experts say keeping your home’s temperature at between 18C to 20C is important not only for wellbeing but also to prevent frozen and burst pipes
Heating experts at All the Home have revealed a simple method to keep homes snug without having to have the radiators permanently on.
They advise to simply leave your curtains drawn back during daylight hours.
The experts said: “One straightforward way to enhance heat retention is to adjust your curtains based on the sun’s position.
“During the day, open your curtains to let sunlight warm your home.
“Natural sunlight can increase room temperatures by as much as 10 degrees, significantly reducing your heating needs.”
By drawing your curtains back during daylight hours, this allows sunshine to warm various surfaces throughout your home, along with walls, flooring and furniture.
Effectively, this creates a greenhouse effect by capturing additional warmth indoors, meaning you stay comfortable come evening time.
The hack works best in south-facing or west-facing windows, as these get the most direct sunlight during daylight hours.
All you need to do is open your curtains in the late morning, when sunlight is at its strongest, then shut them in the early evening, as dusk falls.
The expert added: “As the sun sets, close your curtains to trap the heat inside.
“This simple routine of opening and closing curtains can cut heat loss by nearly 25 per cent, reducing reliance on your heating system.”
Furnishings with lighter shades are best as they distribute warmth more effectively, so placing a white or pale-coloured run in your room will help make a difference.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
Also make sure there is nothing like an armchair blocking light.
Making sure your windows are spotlessly clean also has an impact, even a fine layer of grime can reduce the amount of natural light coming in.
CURTAIN CALL
Home heating expert and CEO at SpeedComfort, Wouter Heuterman, previously told The Sun about another heating hack involving curtains.
He recommends investing in thermal curtains which are “easy to install” and can make a “huge difference, especially on single-glazed windows.”
Wouter said: “They work by creating a ‘dead air’ space between the window and the rest of the room, keeping the cold out and the warmth in.”
