YOUR radiator could be adding £200 to your annual bill depending on the items around it, experts have warned.
Energy bills are still sky-high and even though spring is underway, many of us are still feeling cold snaps from time to time.
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Parts of the UK are still pretty chilly, meaning some households may still have their heating on.
Having the heating on is expensive as it is right now, so it’s important to consider just how you heat your home could make your bills unnecessarily expensive.
One thing to make sure you’re aware of is what you have around your radiator.
This is because if it is overcrowded, then it’ll be working harder and therefore cost you more cash.
Nicholas Auckland, energy and heating expert at Trade Radiators, said: “Usually radiators get placed under a window which is typically the coldest spot.
“The cold air coming from the window conducts heat better when mixed with the warm air coming up from the radiator.
“This is the optimal solution, the following factors are going to reduce the efficiency and thus increase heating costs.”
Of course, you can’t move a radiator without spending a lot of money but what you can do is consider what surrounds it.
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Nicholas said: “Curtains should be long enough to cover your window, but not long enough that they hang over your radiators.
“Correct fitting curtains are going to save you money.
“Also consider adding supplementary roller blinds so you can obstruct the light without obstructing the radiator when it’s on.”
In addition, the expert suggested moving items like a sofa or chest of drawers away from the radiator as if they’re pushed up against it, you’ll be spending way more money just to heat the back of them.
“Pulling them a few inches away from the radiator can create a channel for the heat to rise up and into the room,” he said.
“There’s a lot of factors and variables at play but we estimate taking care of the above could save you up to £200 annually.”
Other ways to cut your energy bills
There are ways to reduce your energy bill without having to resort to unsafe practices.
This includes a few easy tips to remember, like closing your curtains in the evening.
When temperatures naturally drop, you should draw them to keep the heat in, and then open them in the morning when the sun comes out.
You can also buy draught excluders which can be cheap – we spotted them on Amazon for £7.99 – but you should always shop around for better offers.
And always think about how much money you’re spending on household appliances – the kettle is ranked one of the costliest, after the shower, heating and a fan-assisted oven.
You can read about how much they cost and how to keep prices down in our guide.
Also, Energy Saving Trust estimates that between 9-16% of electricity used in homes is through appliances in standby mode.
On a bill of £500, this could account for as much as £80. We’ve rounded up the worst devices to leave on standby.
And remember installing a smart meter is free and usually provided by your energy supplier.
They keep a real-time record of your energy consumption so you can keep an eye on what you’re using.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
