Financial guru Martin Lewis has issued a vital piece of advice to UK households struggling with soaring energy costs. The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com is promoting a simple yet effective daily routine that can help keep homes warmer while potentially reducing bills.
The 4pm Rule Explained
Lewis first shared this strategy on his ITV show, The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, and it remains critically relevant following Ofgem's October price cap increase. His team confirms the advice, originally from a November 2022 recording, is still valid and effective today.
The core of the rule is tactical curtain usage. As sunlight fades and temperatures drop, you should rigorously close your curtains around 4pm. With sunset on November 15th occurring at 4:14pm across the UK, this timing is key to trapping existing warmth inside your home, potentially delaying the moment you need to switch on the heating.
As winter progresses, this 'curtain call' time will shift earlier. By November 30th, darkness falls around 3:55pm, meaning households will need to adapt their habits accordingly throughout the season.
How to Implement the Strategy
Lewis specifically recommends using energy-efficient, thermal-lined curtains designed for heat retention. For those on a tight budget, he suggests a clever DIY alternative: attach inexpensive fleece blankets to your existing curtains to create a thermal lining. He strongly emphasises ensuring any fleece material used is fire-resistant for safety.
The science behind this is straightforward. Warm air inside your home naturally moves towards cold surfaces, like windows. A curtain acts as a barrier, stopping this convection process and preventing the warm air from touching the cold glass and cooling down. Fleece-lined curtains are particularly effective as they trap insulating air pockets, reducing heat transfer through conduction and radiation.
Broader Energy-Saving Context
This curtain advice is part of a wider set of energy-efficiency tips available on the MoneySavingExpert platform. Other recommendations include installing reflective panels behind radiators and diligently draught-proofing your home.
Lewis often champions the mantra: "Heat the human, not the home." This philosophy encourages using personal heating solutions, such as heated blankets or wearing layers, instead of expensively warming entire rooms with central heating, especially when you are stationary.
For those looking to purchase ready-made thermal curtains, numerous retailers stock them, including Dunelm, Amazon, Argos, The Range, B&Q, and Tesco.
