Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has shared how a cheap item costing around £8 can dramatically cut heating bills this winter, as temperatures plunge and energy prices soar.
Appearing on his ITV Money Show Live this week, Mr Lewis said small upgrades to radiators would pay off in reduced power charges. He advised turning down radiators in unused rooms and ensuring they are bled of air.
Cheap radiator upgrades that work
Mr Lewis recommended fitting reflective foil behind radiators on external walls, noting it is not a myth. “It means the heat is reflected back into the house rather than going into the external walls,” he said.
He also suggested installing a radiator shelf, available for about £8, to bounce heat into the main part of the house, and moving large furniture away from radiators so air can circulate.
Expert advice on radiator placement
Prof Richard Fitton, Technical Director of Energy House Labs, said radiators are best placed under windows. “We generally design radiator systems to go under a window so the air naturally rises in front of the window, keeps that window kind of to one side of the heat and circulates round and round,” he explained.
Mr Lewis also issued his “one-degree challenge,” noting the World Health Organization recommends 18°C for healthy adults. Dropping from 21°C to 20°C could cut heating bills by 7%, he said, while advising people to experiment and wear extra clothing rather than turning the thermostat up when it is cold outside.
