WITH temperatures plummeting across the UK, most households are switching on their heating.
But with climbing energy costs, many Brits are looking for hacks to cut down on their bills.
And one small step can help to keep your home warm for longer this winter, without racking up your bills.
British Gas revealed a quick trick that can make your heating system more efficient and prevent costly damage in these freezing temperatures.
Pipe lagging
According to the energy company, insulating hot water pipes with foam tubes is an essential step to surviving winter.
This step keeps the water inside your pipes hotter for longer, stretching your money further.
And crucially, lagging also helps to prevent your pipes from freezing in the cold weather.
As well as saving you money by avoiding this common issue, pipe lagging also makes your heating and hot water much more efficient.
This means you can turn your heating on for shorter amounts of time and avail of hot water for longer.
And you can buy pipe lagging from any DIY store and fit it in seconds, with no tools required.
Economy Pipe Insulation Wrap, measuring 15mm x 13mm, begins from just 94p from Toolstation.
With the current “Arctic Blast” seeing temperatures plunging to -11 degrees Celsius in some areas, now is the time to take action.
Freezing pipes
Since water expands as it freezes, this puts pressure on the pipe from the inside out.
And depending on the volume of water that’s frozen, a pipe can buckle under this pressure.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates that the cost of insurance claims for a burst pipe can rise to around £7,500 during freezing weather.
In order to prevent this, you should focus on these problem areas in your home.
Outside pipework, such as heating drainpipes and overflow pipes, are naturally the most prone to freezing given their direct exposure to the elements.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
And the pipes in colder areas of your home, including unused loft spaces, garages, and basements, should also be insulated.
Finally, water tanks are also often forgotten, however they’re one of the main problem areas during a cold snap and are a leading cause of burst pipes.
More on home heating
Plus, five ways to keep your home warm without heating and a £4 hack that could save you hundreds.
And adding a 39p buy to your radiators can cut heat loss “by 50%” and slash your energy bills too.
More cheap ways to heat a room in your house this winter and the key mistake to avoid.
Meanwhile, another cheap way to heat your home this winter could save you £240.
And a thermal camera can reveal how cold spots are pushing up your energy bills.