A MONEY saving expert has revealed a simple trick homeowners can do to save £350 on energy bills.
Summer now appears to be well and truly over, and many of us have likely been struggling to keep warm this week as we are battered with a deluge of wind and rain.
It may be tempting to turn the heating on at the first sign of autumn, however with energy bill having risen from October 1 and the Winter Fuel Payment scrapped for millions this is not an affordable option for countless Britons.
With this in mind, Fred Harrington, CEO of coupon site Bountii, revealed five easy things you can do to keep energy costs down.
Bleeding radiators is an essential tax which can improve the energy efficiency of your home, and Fred revealed the simple task could end up saving you £350.
He said: “By performing this quick, easy task, you will enable air to escape, improving heat circulation and potentially saving you nearly £350 on your energy bills thanks to improved heat efficiency in your home.”
To bleed your radiators safely, you must first ensure that your heating if off.
Then, using a radiator key, turn the valve anti-clockwise slowly, until you hear a hissing noise.
Once the noise has gone, and water starts pouring out, collect it in a container, and use your radiator key to tighten the valve again.
Fred revealed that around 10% of heat loss in homes occurs through floors, so advised placing rugs on top of flooring to make your home warmer.
He said: “Rugs can be an incredibly effective addition to reduce heat loss in any home.
“Thanks to their excellent insulation properties and density, wool rugs are perfect for helping create warmth, slowing the transfer of heat into your flooring to help maintain a warmer interior.”
Draught proofing your home can cut energy bills by £45 a year, according to Fred.
The expert recommended using a match or a lighter to identify where cold draughts enter your home.
Once you have identified the draughts, you can use bubble wrap, clingfilm or draught excluders to stop the air from escaping.
Another of Fred’s simple tricks is to put foil behind your radiators.
This is because the foil, which can be purchased for just £1.40 a roll, reflects heat back into the room which would otherwise escape through the walls.
The expert added that putting shelves up above the radiator can also help make your room warmer, as the shelves throw the heat forward into the room.
Picking the correct duvet can make a real difference to how warm you feel at night.
Fred recommended a duvet of Tog 13.5 or higher for the winter, at an average price of £15-20.
He added: “If you struggle to keep warm during the colder months, you may need to opt for a 15-tog duvet at a usual cost of £20-£30.”
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