As winter tightens its grip and energy prices remain a significant concern for households across the UK, financial guru Martin Lewis has reiterated a remarkably simple yet effective strategy to combat soaring heating costs. The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com is urging Britons to adopt a disciplined approach to their curtains, a tactic that could help keep homes warmer and delay the need to switch on the central heating.
The Essential 4pm Curtain Rule
At the heart of this energy-saving advice is a specific daily ritual. Martin Lewis recommends diligently closing your curtains around 4pm as the daylight fades. This timing is crucial because, as sunset occurs progressively earlier throughout November—reaching approximately 3:55pm by November 30th—closing curtains at dusk acts as a vital barrier, trapping valuable heat inside your home that would otherwise escape through the windows.
The logic, as explained by Lewis on his ITV show, The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, is straightforward yet often overlooked. "When the sun is shining, it is letting light and heat into the house, so you want the curtains open. When it gets dark, it's not, so you want to keep the heat in by closing the curtains," he advised viewers. While this may seem like common sense, Lewis emphasises that it is the rigorous, consistent application of this rule that makes a tangible difference to a home's insulation.
Affordable DIY Solutions for Maximum Insulation
For those with the means, investing in a new set of thick, thermal-lined curtains is a smart move for long-term energy efficiency. However, understanding the current financial pressures on many families, Martin Lewis offers a highly affordable alternative. He suggests lining existing curtains with cheap fleece blankets to dramatically improve their heat-retention properties without a major financial outlay.
His team of experts on the Money Saving Expert website confirm that this advice, originally filmed in November 2022, remains perfectly valid today, especially following the Ofgem price cap increase in October 2025. A crucial safety warning accompanies this DIY tip: Lewis strongly advises ensuring that any fleece fabric used is fire-retardant to mitigate potential fire hazards.
Part of a Broader Money-Saving Philosophy
This curtain strategy is not a standalone tip but part of Martin Lewis's wider arsenal of energy-saving advice, much of which is available on his website. Other recommended measures include placing reflective panels behind radiators to direct heat back into the room and diligently tackling draughts around doors and windows.
These practical tips align with Lewis's often-repeated mantra: "Heat the human, not the home." This approach champions the use of personal heating methods, such as wearing warmer clothing or using heated blankets, over the more expensive option of heating an entire property with central heating. Such tactics are designed to provide targeted warmth at a fraction of the cost, making them invaluable during periods of high energy prices.
By adopting this disciplined curtain routine and exploring other low-cost insulation methods, UK households can take proactive steps to manage their energy consumption and protect their wallets during the colder months.
