Specialists say ‘why waste the heat that you’ve already paid for’
The tip makes use of heat that people have already paid for(Image: Getty)
Brits have been urged to leave a door open in one part of their home to make the most of the heat they are already paying for this winter. The tip could help to slowly heat up one of the most commonly used rooms in the house without costing an extra penny on the gas or electric bill.
People are looking for any way to make their heating last longer this winter as January conditions remain very bitter. It comes as parts of the UK could be “buried in snow”, with some areas seeing temperatures drop as low as -6°C.
With advice on boiler and radiator settings telling Brits how to make the most of their central heating, one energy supplier has claimed that opening a door could make a bit of difference without spending more cash. British Gas specialists claim that homeowners could benefit from a little extra heat from an appliance that most families use at least once a day.
The kitchen oven can produce significant heat to properly cook food. Once your meal is ready, people could make the most of that heat they’ve already paid for by simply doing something that may feel a little bit odd.
“Once dinner comes out of the oven, we all close the door again,” A spokesperson for British Gas said. “But why waste that heat?”
They explained: “Leave the oven door open and let the heat transfer slowly into your kitchen; it’ll help keep your house warm while you eat. And, naturally, keep the kids and pets away from the door.”
Generally, after cooking, oven heat spreads out as it transfers to the surrounding air, but leaving the door closed can slow that process down and cause the unit to retain more heat. Having the door open, even slightly ajar, will speed up heat release, warming the kitchen more quickly.
Whilst it might not make a major difference to every room of your house, people might notice a small difference in the kitchen temperature when the heat is allowed to flood the room. After the initial wave of heat passes, close the door and let the internal fans cool down the oven components.
Hot surfaces pose a risk, as outlined by British Gas, so children and pets should be kept away from the open appliance if it is within easy reach. The oven should never be used as an alternative to proper heating systems.
Extended use of the oven in ways not intended can damage electronic controls, wiring, and heating elements, potentially increasing the risk of fire. In other news, British Gas has also claimed that people could save themselves some heat by closing their curtains – an action that takes just a couple of seconds.
“You won’t be surprised to learn that lots of warmth escapes from your home through the windows. If you’ve got curtains, close them before darkness hits or while you’re out of the house and keep that lovely heat where it should be – inside.”