A PLUMBER has revealed the five steps you can take to save money on your heating bills this winter.
From tackling problem areas to making the most of your radiators, these hacks will leave your space warm and toasty during the cold weather.
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An expert from Advanced Heating & Plumbing broke down the best ways to keep your home at a comfortable temperature this winter.
Following these simple steps can help you cut down on your energy bills.
Stop draughts
For the first piece of advice, the plumber recommended identifying any draught points and blocking them.
To do this, you can simply place a draught excluder at the bottom of your doors to prevent cold air from creeping in.
And you can pick up a draught excluder for just £4.99 from the Lidl middle aisle right now that helps you save up to £85 on your energy bills this winter.
As well as your doors, your windows can be another major source of heat loss in your home.
You can check for draughts around your windows by holding a candle near the frame and if the flame flickers, there’s a gap.
To seal your window gaps, use draught-proofing strips or caulk.
You may also want to close unused chimneys in your home to stop cold air coming down.
So if your fireplace is just for show, now is the time to take action to prevent heat loss.
Rugs for heat retention
And if you have tiled floors or wooden floorboards, the plumbing expert explained that a lot of heat can escape through these features.
Simply placing rugs throughout your home can help to insulate your floors and create a warmer space.
The pro recommended opting for shaggy rugs or other heavyweight options to “trap heat effectively”.
And for even better insulation, you can add an underlay beneath your rugs.
This stops them from slipping and boosts their heat-retention properties.
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.
Make the most of radiators
The plumber shared three steps you can take to elevate your radiators this winter.
And you don’t even have to blast them to increase the heat in your home.
Simply moving large furniture away such as sofas away from your radiators can help the heat to “circulate freely”.
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You can also add reflectors behind your radiators to direct heat back into the room.
Reflection panels are available at affordable prices online or you can try using a kitchen staple for just £1.
Or you can opt for a radiator fan, which you simply sit on top of your radiator to circulate warm air more effectively.
Use curtains and blinds to your advantage
According to the plumber, you should also open your curtains during the day to let sunlight naturally heat your rooms.
And at night, simply close your curtains and blinds to trap warmth and prevent heat loss.
For added insulation, you may want to invest in thermal-lined curtains.
Everyday heat hacks
The plumber shared additional tips you can use to boost the heat in your home.
For example, after baking or roasting, you can leave the oven door open to let the residual heat warm your kitchen.
And making a brew can also add warmth as the steam from your kettle brings humidity to the air, making it feel less cold.
Finally, layering up with cosy blankets and throws can be an inexpensive way to stay warm.
