Households across the UK are being encouraged to start an unusual autumn stockpile: empty crisp packets. This simple act, according to heating experts, could lead to significant savings on power bills during the colder months.
The Radiator Reflector Hack
Mark McShane, a heating expert from Boiler Cover UK, has explained that placing a reflective material like an empty crisp packet behind your radiators can dramatically improve their efficiency. The method works by bouncing heat that would otherwise be lost through external walls back into the room. This means your space heats up faster and retains warmth for longer, allowing you to run your heating for shorter periods.
"It’s an easy, cost-effective way to make the most of your heating," Mark stated, highlighting a practical solution that requires little to no financial investment.
Martin Lewis's Money-Saving Wisdom
This advice echoes tips previously shared by BBC and ITV star Martin Lewis. The money-saving expert has long advocated for using reflective panels behind radiators on external walls. For those unwilling to buy specialist panels, he suggested a household alternative: tin foil. While he noted it doesn't work quite as well as purpose-made materials, it is a viable budget option.
Lewis also shared other crucial advice for cutting costs this autumn. He urged households to turn off radiators in unused rooms to avoid wasting cash on heating empty spaces. Furthermore, he revealed that adjusting the flow rate on your boiler can cut a gas bill by over 9%, a change most people won't even notice.
Tackling the 'Demon Appliance' and Damp
Lewis identified the tumble dryer as the real "demon appliance" in most homes due to its high running cost, which can be up to £1 per load. To save money, he recommends drying clothes outside on an airer to reduce tumble dryer use.
For those dealing with damp, a dehumidifier can be a more cost-effective solution than cranking up the heating. Dehumidifiers use much lower wattage than standard heating systems and work by extracting moisture from the air. This approach can lead to definitively lower electricity bills, as confirmed by Lewis in response to a listener on his BBC Sounds podcast.
By combining these clever tricks, from the humble crisp packet to smarter appliance use, UK families can stay warm without facing exorbitant energy costs this season.
