Martin Lewis has shared a simple yet effective tip to help households keep their homes warmer for longer – and it’s completely free to do.
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis is renowned for delivering budget-conscious guidance to homeowners, which has become invaluable for many.
Millions across the country are still grappling with soaring living costs and energy bills. The financial guru is fondly known throughout the UK for his practical tips and money-saving tactics, which he regularly shares across his social media channels, BBC podcast, and ITV’s The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.
One particular recommendation can help households keep their homes toasty for longer whilst potentially cutting costs. He disclosed this strategy on his ITV show several years ago.
However, following the recent Ofgem October price cap rise, the advice remains just as useful for many of us as, as detailed in Bristol Live.
On the official Money Saving Expert website, his team of experts notes the programme segment was filmed in November 2022 and confirms that “the tips still work.”
The guidance involves adhering to a ‘rule’ “rigorously” at a particular time each day as temperatures start to plummet. Speaking to viewers, he said: “Use tactical curtains.”
He’s referring to energy-saving curtains engineered to regulate warmth which are typically thermal, lined window treatments.
He continued: “When the sun is shining, it is letting light and heat into the house, so you want the curtains open. When it gets dark, it’s not, so you want to keep the heat in by closing the curtains. I know we all know that, but doing it rigorously can help insulate, especially if you line it with a fleece. There are lots of tips online on how to do that, and really cheaply do it yourself.”
The sun is due to set shortly after 6pm nationwide this week, meaning it’s wise to pull your curtains shut at 6pm to trap as much warmth indoors as you can.
This gives you extra time before needing to switch on the heating if needed. From this week sunset will come increasingly earlier each evening. By October 30, night will fall around 4.38pm so you’ll have to modify this daily.
For those with the budget, buying a new set of thicker curtains could be a wise purchase. For families counting every penny, Martin Lewis recommends adding cheap fleece throws to your existing curtains, though he warns you must check the fleece complies with fire-safety regulations.
Beyond curtain tips, he has also addressed other matters, including installing reflective panels behind radiators and eliminating draughts.
Martin Lewis regularly champions the mantra “Heat the human, not the home”, which highlights a money-saving approach that encourages using personal heating solutions instead of depending on costly central heating to warm the whole house.
These suggestions prove especially beneficial during times of rocketing energy costs. They are tailored for households who only require warmth in one or two spaces, rather than heating the entire property needlessly.
How do fleece-lined curtains work?
Fleece-lined curtains work by capturing layers of insulating air, which minimises heat loss and blocks draughts. This method relies on three scientific fundamentals of heat transfer: convection, conduction, and radiation.
The efficiency is boosted by fleece’s capacity to form air pockets, much like how a winter jacket maintains your body temperature.
Multiple retailers with homeware sections regularly stock curtains, including heavy or fleece-lined varieties. These include Dunelm, Amazon, Argos, The Range, B&Q, Tesco, and others.
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