WITH energy bills set to soar by a whopping 10% next month, cash-strapped households are faced with the dilemma of staying cosy – or saving money.
Luckily, one boiler guru has come to rescue just in time, sharing a cost-effective trick that means you can be warm – without forking out a fortune.
Boiler Cover UK‘s heating guru, Mark McShane, has spilled the beans on how an empty crisp packet can improve your radiator‘s performance, which can lead to a cosy home and lower energy bills, My London reported.
To boost the heating you fill first need to clean a crisp packet and secure it with double-sided tape.
Position the packet behind the radiator with the shiny side outwards, he instructed.
Mark explained: “By placing a reflective material, such as an empty crisp packet, behind your radiators, you can bounce the heat back into your room instead of letting it escape through the walls.
”It’s an easy, cost-effective way to make the most of your heating.”
As the warmer temperatures are slowly – but surely – fading, this cheap trick could be beneficial for thousands of cash-strapped households across the nation.
Among other suggestions, the heating pro also advised leaving the oven door open once you’re done whipping up a scrumptious meal.
This simple yet effective tip means the residual heat will spread through your kitchen, instead of going to waste stuck inside the shut oven.
Mark also recommended using bubble wrap on windows as a purse-friendly insulator and suggested wearing extra layers indoors to stay warm.
The heating expert urged Brits to hold off on turning on their heating system until at least the end of October.
He warned: “Turning on your heating at the end of October is a good strategy, as it allows you to prepare for the colder weather ahead while also avoiding the risk of frozen pipes.
”Maintaining a minimum thermostat setting of 10C can protect your pipes from freezing, which can lead to costly repairs.”
Sharing his expertise, Mark also advised UK residents to ensure their heating systems are in top condition and added that upgrading your thermostat could help prevent energy waste.
Another pro tip he mentioned was draught-proofing your home to keep the heating and warmth in during the chilly day.
By taking these steps now, in autumn, struggling households could reduce heating usage when winter arrives.
Simply by lowering your thermostat by just 1C, you could slash your heating bill by up to 10%, he said.
This comes after it was revealed that millions will be stung by a £149 hike to energy bills when Ofgem’s new price cap comes into force in weeks.
On October 1, around 29million bill payers on their supplier’s standard variable tariff will see their bills rise from £1,568 a year to £1,717 a year.
