As energy prices rise, some low-income households may be struggling to afford to keep their homes warm.
Age UK reports that 41% of pensioners have cut back on home heating and a quarter said that their homes were too cold in January. However, there are ways to cut energy costs. For instance, one simple task can reduce energy bills for free.
According to Gordon Wallis, an energy expert, blinds reduce heat loss by 13% to 14% and curtains cut heat loss by 15% to 17%. To keep as much heat inside the home at night as possible, residents may want to close curtains and blinds at dusk or just after sunset. While keeping the curtains closed in all rooms, occupied or not, will retain warmth, it’s important not to let curtains cover radiators, as this reduces their effectiveness.
While the sun goes in at around 4pm to 5pm in winter, this gets later in spring. Check the exact time each day to maximise the curtain closing effect.
Ideally, open curtains and blinds as soon as it is daylight so that the natural heat from the sun comes into the home.
This tip costs no money, but if you are particularly interested in retaining heat it may be worth considering fitting thermal curtains as these can prevent up to 25% heat loss.
A classic money-saving tip is to make sure that the boiler is working efficiently so that it is not wasting energy. At the annual boiler service, a gas engineer in Wrexham will be able to check this for you.
