AS the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, the temptation to turn the heating on increases by the second.
But amid the cost of living crisis, more and more of us are looking for different ways to keep our homes warm without pushing up our energy bills.
If you’re worried about heating your home this winter without paying through the nose for it, there’s a clever way you can do so with just three radiators[/caption]
You just need to turn on the radiators in the living room, landing and hallway[/caption]
And, according to a heating specialist, you can heat your entire house with the strategic use of just three radiators.
“Most people turn on all radiators at once when they feel cold, but this wastes enormous amounts of energy,” heating pro Oliver Osmore explained.
“By understanding how heat moves naturally through your home, you can create a warming cascade effect with just three carefully selected radiators.”
The radiators in question are the ones in the hallway, landing and living room.
“The hallway radiator warms air that naturally travels upstairs, while the landing radiator pushes heat into bedrooms,” Osmore, Managing Director at London-based heating specialist Maintracts Services, explained.
“Your living room needs direct heating as it’s where you spend most time.”
The technique works because warm air rises and moves through the connected spaces.
Meanwhile, cold air sinks – creating a continuous circulation that warms the entire house.
To make the most of the hack, you need to turn the three radiators on about “30 minutes before you need warmth”.
“The heat will have circulated properly by then, making other radiators unnecessary for most of the day,” he added.
“The key is understanding that heat will naturally flow to cooler areas.
“You just need to give it the right starting points.”
To help keep your home warm, keep internal doors open where possible to allow the air to properly circulate.
“Closed doors create cold spots and prevent your three-radiator system from working properly,” Osmore explained.
And make sure you are properly maintaining those three radiators – by bleeding them regularly and keeping them dust free to ensure “maximum efficiency”.
The hack is especially effective in houses with rooms that connect well to each other – such as a terraced or semi-detached home.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
If you’ve got an abode with an unusual layout, you may need to consider turning on a “fourth radiator in a strategically placed location”.
And for rooms that have a tendency to be especially cold, stick to a rotating approach, rather than turning on extra radiators permanently.
“If a particular bedroom feels too cool, briefly turn its radiator on for 20 minutes,” he continued.
“Once warm, turn it off again and let the natural airflow maintain temperature.”