As temperatures begin to drop, experts are urging homeowners to take advantage of a simple winter task that can make a difference in keeping their homes warm.
As winter draws in and bitter weather starts to take hold, countless Brits are already grappling with freezing conditions and spiralling energy bills. According to Money Saving Expert, “On typical use, a household paying by Direct Debit pays £1,755 a year under the current Price Cap.
“But the cap doesn’t limit how much you pay; it’s a cap on what you pay for each unit of gas and electricity that you use.” Faced with skyrocketing bills, property owners are being encouraged to undertake a remarkably straightforward task that could significantly improve the warmth of their homes.
Rather than splashing out on expensive improvements or turning up the thermostat, this rapid, hassle-free solution can help boost your property’s cosiness. Most importantly, it won’t cost you a single penny.
What’s the answer?
Heating specialists recommend that making a small tweak to your curtain-drawing habits can deliver a remarkably beneficial effect on your home’s temperature.
By getting the timing spot-on, you can capture additional warmth inside and prevent the chill from seeping in.
Chatting to Ideal Homes, Gordon Wallis, an energy specialist at Your NRG, revealed: “Blinds reduce heat loss by 13-14%, curtains can cut heat loss by 15-17%, and properly installed thermal curtains can improve insulation by up to 25%.”
To maximise this heating trick, Gordon recommends drawing your curtains at twilight, shortly after sunset.
This could be as early as 4:00 pm, although it may be later as spring approaches. By doing this, homeowners can keep warmth inside and stop the cold from coming in.
He also advises against letting curtains hang over radiators, as this traps heat and prevents it from spreading around the room.
As soon as the sun rises, he suggests immediately opening the curtains to ensure you welcome as much of the sun’s heat into your home as possible, thereby reducing the need to turn on your central heating.
“In the best-case scenario, you won’t need to turn on your radiators and may be able to make do with one of the best electric heaters or best oil-filled radiators for a little heating boost instead,” shared the blogger at Ideal Homes.
Experts at Aquarius Interiors echoed this tip and stated: “Windows are often a significant source of heat loss in homes, with a substantial amount of heat escaping through them.
“By installing appropriate winter curtains, you can create a barrier that minimises heat loss and keeps your living spaces warmer.”
They recommend using thermal curtains for optimal heating. Thermal curtains work by trapping a layer of air between the fabric and the window, creating a buffer that slows heat loss.
The thicker and more tightly woven the material, the better it insulates.
