An electrician has shared a simple tip that households can use to keep warm and reduce energy bills this winter
During the chilly winter months, keeping homes warm while managing energy costs can be challenging. Experts recommend maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature between 18C to 21C, but heat can escape through letterboxes, gaps in window frames, and even walls.
David Miloshev, an accredited electrician from Fantastic Services, revealed that there are “surprising amount of clever little tricks you can use to keep yourself warmer and your bills lower”. He has compiled “some of the best ones” for households to consider, reports the Express.
One such trick involves the strategic use of curtains and blinds, a zero-electricity method that can significantly increase warmth. Miloshev said: “Keep your blinds and curtains open during the hours of the day when the sun is shining towards your windows and close them when it starts to set.”
By doing so, households can harness the free heat from the limited winter sunshine. He further suggested: “Closing the curtains and blinds afterwards helps create a good insulating layer and lets you keep that free warmth you’ve gathered throughout the day.”
Thicker curtains are particularly effective at preventing heat loss, which is especially important for homes with older windows. Safe Style Windows indicates that up to 18 per cent of a home’s total heat can be lost through its windows.
To combat this, Helen O’Connor, product manager at 247 Blinds and 247 Curtains, recommends using curtains to block draughts as a vital strategy to reduce reliance on central heating.
She explained: “Getting the right window dressing can help reduce your energy usage as heat loss through windows accounts for roughly 25 to 30 per cent of the energy used in our homes.”
“On average, in winter months, we have around six to eight hours of daylight, which means that for the other 18 hours of the day, we should consider keeping our curtains and blinds shut. If you’re not going to be home during the day, consider keeping your curtains closed, as this will help retain the heat when you come home.”
In addition to windows, households are reminded to pay attention to doors to minimise energy waste. David highlighted the importance of addressing draughts, adding: “Households are advised not just to focus on windows but also doors to reduce energy losses. Consider draught stoppers for your doors and windows to help solve the issue.”
David identified other potential sources of heat loss, explaining: “Any other openings to the outside world might also be causing draughts – dryer vents, electrical work, oven vents, and even keyholes and outlets can be draught-causing culprits.”
To combat these cold incursions, he suggested: “Use keyhole and outlet covers or insulators, and make sure any other openings are well-sealed with caulking.”