As the UK braces for a cold snap, households are looking for cost-effective ways to keep their homes warm without racking up hefty heating bills. The Underfloor Heating Store experts have shared a nifty trick involving everyday kitchen items that could save you money.
They suggest: “Covering the back of your radiators with tin foil is a cheap way to help retain heat in your home.
“The foil acts as a reflector and reflects heat back into the room to prevent it escaping through any external walls.”
To implement this tip, they advise: “To do this, simply cut the foil a bit smaller than the full size of your radiator and use tape to secure it onto the back of the radiator.
“Alternatively, you can wrap cardboard in foil and place this behind the radiator for a sturdier fit.”, reports the Express.
Kitchen foil, which can be found for as little as £1 at supermarkets and stores like Home Bargains and B&M, is all you need, and since only a small amount is required per radiator, one roll should suffice.
In addition to the foil hack, the experts also address the issue of heat retention in floors, particularly for those embracing the trend of exposed original floorboards. They note: “Original flooring has been a popular trend this year with many homeowners opting to use the original floorboards within their room for a rustic finish.
“Nevertheless, it can lack insulation and increase air flow, making the room feel colder.”
‘Cheap way’ to help ‘retain heat’ in your home for longer without increasing energy bills
(Image: (Image: Getty))
To combat this, they recommend: “However, one way to help retain heat within your floors is to use floor sealant to fill any cracks and gaps.”
Floor sealant, which costs around £5, acts as a draught excluder and can be applied to various types of flooring, ensuring your rooms stay cosy throughout the winter months.
You can also purchase it for other interior features, such as door frames and skirting boards, to enhance heat retention within your home. Lastly, a simple hack that doesn’t require any expenditure is ensuring that curtains are open during the day and closed in the evening.
The experts said: “Allowing natural light into your home will aid in keeping your house warmer throughout the day, whilst closing them in the evening will help retain the heat when the nights draw cooler.
“Furthermore, curtains in heavy fabrics such as suede, velvet and cotton are great for trapping heat whilst floor-length curtains help with added insulation and keep drafts from entering the room.”