UK households are being urged to follow a 4.45pm curtain-closing rule from Sunday, October 25, to help manage energy bills as winter approaches and costs rise.
With evenings getting darker and temperatures dropping, more households are turning on their heating. Bills are expected to be higher this winter after Ofgem's recent energy price cap announcement, which confirmed a 4% increase that took effect at the beginning of the month.
Why the 4.45pm rule works
Personal finance experts suggest adopting habits that reduce the amount of heating needed. One such habit is ensuring blinds and curtains are closed at a certain time. Martin Lewis previously shared this tip, urging households to have windows and curtains closed before it gets dark.
The clocks go back in the UK on Sunday, October 25, meaning it will get darker earlier. In some areas, the sun will begin to set as early as 4.45pm, making that a good time to aim to close curtains and blinds.
The science behind the habit
During the day, natural sunlight helps warm the home. In the evening, closing blinds and curtains traps that warmth. While heating will still be needed throughout winter, this hack aims to reduce the time heating needs to be on by taking advantage of natural warmth from daily sunlight.
The rule works best with energy-efficient curtains, including thermal or lined window coverings, which help keep heat in after sunset.
"I know we all know that, but doing it rigorously can help insulate, especially if you line it with a fleece," Mr Lewis said last year. "There are lots of tips online on how to do that, and really cheaply do it yourself."
Impact of the price cap increase
The recent energy price cap increase means the typical household will pay £1,723 a year for those not on a fixed tariff and paying by Direct Debit in England, Scotland and Wales. This is up from the £1,663 cap that was in place, an increase of 4%.
