Martin Lewis has highlighted a simple mistake many households are making that pushes up their heating bills: leaving curtains hanging in front of radiators.
On a recent episode of his ITV programme, the Money Saving Expert explained that lengthy curtains drooping down over radiators, which are often positioned by windows, can stop a home from warming up efficiently.
Curtains belong behind the radiator
"One really important thing - your curtains should be behind the radiator, not in front of the radiator," Lewis said. "Or then the radiator is just heating the back of the curtains."
He also outlined the best times to open and close curtains during cold weather to keep warmth in and reduce heating costs. When the sun is shining, its energy radiates through windows into the property and warms it up.
Tactical curtain timing
"So you want the curtains open," he said. "As soon as it gets dark, you're shutting them, because you want to trap that heat energy inside your house. That's what tactical curtains means."
Energy sustainability expert Professor Richard Fitton, who appeared on the programme, demonstrated how Venetian blinds can be positioned to retain heat. He said the key is how the slats are angled when the blind is closed.
If the slats are tilted with the upper edge towards the window and the lower edge towards the interior, "that's bad because the heat is going up and towards the cold air". Positioned in the opposite direction, warm air from inside the property is directed back into the home. "The difference between the two is about 14 per cent," he said.
