Keeping your home warm and saving on energy bills is a top priority for many households right now, and there are a number of simple and affordable ways to do it – including one surprisingly obvious hack
As Britain prepares for plummeting temperatures and soaring energy bills continue to bite, households across the country are desperately seeking budget-friendly ways to stay cosy while reducing outgoings.
While major improvements like insulation or heat pumps demand substantial investment, there are plenty of low-cost tweaks you can make to your home that will make a real difference. Max Schwerdtfeger from The Eco Experts has shared five budget-conscious home improvements that can help households stay warm and cut energy bills this winter – with one costing just a fiver.
Draught excluders
Among the simplest and most affordable ways to keep heat inside your home is installing draught excluders, which can be purchased for as little as £5, or made at home using old socks or fabric.
Small gaps around doors, windows and floorboards may seem insignificant, but sealing them can make a considerable difference to your heating bills over time – potentially saving you £65 each year, reports the Express. “Research suggests that air infiltration through a sash window can be reduced by as much as 86% by adding draught-proofing, helping your home stay warmer for longer without turning up the heating,” the eco expert explains.
Rugs and mats
Cold floors are among the quickest ways to lose heat – not just from your home, but directly from your body. “Rugs and mats offer a simple yet highly effective way to improve a room’s thermal comfort while directly cutting heat loss through cold floors,” Max shares. As a wallet-friendly method to enhance the energy efficiency of any space, rugs and mats function by insulating chilly floors to reduce heat loss and slash heating costs.
Window film insulation
Insulating window film represents an economical solution that helps preserve energy all year round, maintaining your home warmer throughout winter and cooler during summer. The expert suggests: “Window film insulation offers a rapid, cost-effective alternative to traditional double glazing.” For homes with single-glazed or underperforming windows, this film provides a clear secondary barrier that retains heat and blocks draughts. A kit, usually priced between £10 and £20, proves perfect for renters since the film applies easily and removes completely.
Reflective radiator panels
Enhance your heating’s energy performance with reflective radiator panels, which channel warmth back into your spaces rather than allowing it to be absorbed by external walls. Max aays: “Reflective radiator panels are a hassle-free solution, bouncing up to 95% of the heat from the radiator back into the room.” Simple to install and starting at merely £7, this straightforward approach can significantly reduce heat loss, keeping temperatures higher in your home whilst cutting energy costs.
Thermal curtains and linings
As mentioned previously, windows constitute a significant source of heat loss, but thermal curtains create an insulating barrier that helps retain warmth. Max says: “Thermal curtains are a surprisingly effective, budget-friendly barrier that can reduce winter heat loss through windows by as much as 25%.” According to research from The Eco Experts, a new pair usually costs between £20 and £40, but it’s a worthwhile investment that offers benefits throughout the year. Alternatively, you can cut costs by adding thermal linings to your current curtains, transforming them into an efficient and stylish upgrade for your home.