A SURPRISING trick with a pair of curtains could actually save you cash off your energy bills this winter.
Winter is well and truly underway, and most of us have put our heating on already.
This coupled with rising costs across the board means we’re all looking to save money where we can.
It comes as energy bills are set to rise by £94 for the average household from the new year, we’re all looking for ways to save.
To help you out experts have found that an unusual use for curtains, that isn’t windows and can help you save energy and cash.
Catherine Storer, executive director of Essential Site Skills (ESS), said: “As winter sets in, many of us start to worry about the rising cost of heating our homes.
“It’s a real concern, especially when we’re trying to keep our families warm and comfortable without breaking the bank.
“Thankfully, there are simple and effective ways to manage these costs, one of the easiest is to use our curtains wisely.”
One of Catherine’s top tips is to hang curtains over not just windows, but doors too.
According to Catherine, a fact that is commonly forgotten about is that doors are often the culprit of cold homes.
She explained: “Many people don’t think about their doors when trying to keep their homes warm, but doors, especially those with big windows like French doors, can let out a lot of heat.”
That’s why the expert says expanding the use of your curtains can be a great way to stop energy from escaping.
She said: “This creates an extra layer of insulation that keeps the warmth inside and is especially useful in older homes where doors are known for being a bit more draughty.”
Research carried out by ESS found that curtains alone have the potential to decrease your energy consumption by up to 15%.
That could lead to savings of up to £30 annually on your utility bills.
Using curtains on doors isn’t the only tip either.
Catherine explained that many people keep their curtains closed all of the time in an attempt to keep warmth inside, but this is actually counterproductive.
She said: “Letting sunlight into your home during the day is a great way to naturally warm it up.
“When the sun shines, open your curtains wide, this helps heat the room without turning up the thermostat.
“As soon as the sun goes down or it gets cloudy, close your curtains – this traps the heat inside, keeping your home cosy.”
It’s a simple habit, but it can save you a lot on your heating bills over time, she added.
Catherine also recommended buying yourself some thermal curtains.
Stating: “While any type of curtain, used correctly, can help you keep your homes warmer, thermal curtains are a game changer in the winter.”
During sunnier days, switching off outdoor lighting and using solar lamps or lights will help cut energy bills.
Ovens remain hot immediately after you have turned them off.
This means you can actually turn them off up to 10 minutes before your food is due out to let the residual heat finish the job for you.
However, don’t take risks with food, and make sure it is piping hot and properly cooked all the way through before eating.
Once you have turned the oven on and put your food in, try not to open the door.
This reduces the temperature and prompts the appliance to use extra energy to bring the temperature back up, and also adds time on to cooking your meal costing you more.
Stopping heat escaping through draughts can save £30 a year on your energy bill, according to Energy Saving Trust.
Draught excluders for under £5 are readily available on Amazon – especially the ones you attach to doors.
Or you can also get them to match your décor or style, we found a cute sausage dog excluder for £4 from Hobbycraft.
Putting hot food in the fridge can disrupt the temperature forcing the appliance to burn extra energy to cool the space back down.
It’s a similar story if you stand at the fridge with the door open wondering what to eat for longer periods of time.
Loft insulation is an investment well worth making to prevent losing heat through your roof.
It is one of the more pricey changes to make but could save you around £300 a year, according to consumer campaign group Which?.
Ideally, you need rolls of insulation that is 270mm thick, according to the EnergyHelpline.
You are looking at paying around £30 for 200mm rolls of five metres – and don’t forget to insulate your loft hatch too.
The cost of running the kettle over a year mounts up making it one of the most expensive appliances.
Filling the kettle with more water than you need wastes energy and money.
Try using cups of water to fill the kettle so that you only boil what you need.
It’s estimated a sizeable chunk of electricity used in homes is from appliances that are sitting in standby mode.
This equates to as much as £80 on a bill of £500.
Most people know about the TV but switching off your microwave when it’s not in use can make a big difference to bills.
We have rounded up some of the worst offenders to leave on standby.
Meanwhile, we reveal eight easy cleaning tricks to cut energy bills by up to £800 a year – from air fryers and kettles to fridges.
Plus, a major energy supplier serving seven million customers is offering 50% off electricity on Christmas Day in a boost for households.
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
