Radiator hack to blast more heat for just £1 - and it will save you money

Hands on radiator
-Credit: (Image: (Image: Getty))


With the chill of winter on the horizon and energy costs soaring, UK households are bracing for the impact of increased winter price caps starting from 1 October.

Taking action now can boost your home's energy efficiency and could lead to substantial savings on your heating bills.

To assist homeowners in gearing up for the colder months, financial gurus at Moneyboat have joined forces with Stephen Day, a Heating Engineer from iHeat, to provide essential tips for home improvements.

Stephen has shared a savvy tip for those who find their radiators less effective than desired: placing tin foil behind them.

He said: "This will help to reflect some of the heat back towards your room and is cheaper than reflector foil, just make sure to use sturdy double-sided tape to keep it adhered to the wall."

In a tight spot, he suggests that even old crisp packets can be repurposed as a heat reflector after a good clean, reports the Express.

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Tin foil is readily available on the high street for around £1, offering an economical solution that could prevent you from cranking up the thermostat.

Moreover, Stephen underscores the significance of draft-proofing your home to maintain warmth and avoid unnecessary heating expenses.

He recommends: "Cracks and openings around doors, windows, and baseboards can easily let heat escape, but these can be easily remedied for a few pounds."

"For windows, you can use silicone-based sealant to repair any gaps in the seals around the frames, while for cracks in walls or baseboards, it's best to use plaster or wood-based filler that you can lightly sand once dry."

Alongside this, insulating keyholes and letterboxes will also help prevent cold air from entering your property.

Small openings like keyholes and letterboxes can let in a surprising amount of cold air, particularly when the wind picks up, so look at covering them with insulating tape or use a letterbox brush," explains Stephen.You can get these for less than £5 at most hardware stores, but they can make all the difference - especially if you have a front door that leads straight to your living room."

In a pinch, you could also use a piece of cardboard cut to the dimensions of your letterbox or keyhole and some heavy-duty tape to form a DIY flap that can block out smaller draughts. ".