THE DREADED arrival of winter means wrapping up in layers, sipping on hot drinks and turning the heating on to keep warm.
But as the cost of living crisis continues to engulf the world, many Britons are forced to find less costly alternatives that will help to slash their ever-rising energy bills.
Fortunately, according to one expert, there are four simple energy-free ways that will keep the house cosy and toasty without the need to switch the heating on – and this means you'll save loads of cash too.
Use a terracotta heater
Chatting to The Express, Matthew Jenkins from My Job Quote said: “A terracotta heater is a terrific energy-free way to stay warm.
“One candle can heat up to three terracotta pots due to the material's slow heating and good heat retention.”
However, the guru warned that these heaters should be supervised at all times as the naked flames could be a safety hazard to small children or pets.
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Buy better insulation
“Although this approach is more expensive, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to save money in the long term,” the guru noted.
“Insulating the walls is crucial when designing an environmentally friendly home since heat is trapped within.”
Sharing his expertise, Matthew added that one area to pay your attention to in particular is the loft – a shocking quart of the house's heat is lost through the roof.
If installed properly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over in its lifetime of 40 years.
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Install shelves above a radiator
“Adding a shelf directly above a radiator enhances the radiator's ability to disperse heat more evenly,” he continued.
“In addition, installing a shelf acts like a barrier, helping direct heat away from the radiator rather than rising to the ceiling when it is hung directly above a radiator.”
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Use curtains
For those looking to save money inspecting windows should be a priority – a significant amount of heat is leaves the property via windows.
Luckily, there's an easy way to reduce the loss – curtains.
According to researchers from the University of Salford, drawing your curtains at dusk can reduce heat loss by around 15-17 percent. Blinds, on the other, reduced heat loss by 13-14 percent.
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“A home's windows let a lot of heat out, but curtains are a great method to prevent this from happening,” Matthew said.
“In addition, a barrier created by heavier drapes will stop airflow from the window.”
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