Experts have revealed ways you can keep your home warm this winter without being tempted to crank up the thermostat.
As December progresses and the temperatures across the UK plummet, Mirror Online has put together a list of top tips to battle the winter chill without the burden of hiked energy bills.
The advice comes from David Gibson, from the national property services business Liberty, who shares tips ranging from installing radiator foil to switching suppliers.
1. Reflect the radiance
About a third of heat escapes through cavity walls, according to the Energy Saving Trust. This is not only wasteful, but can also be extremely costly.
Mr Gibson said: "Making sure your walls are well insulated could save you £100s on your energy bills.
"When placing radiator foil behind radiators, ensure the shiny side is facing towards the room to reflect heat escaping behind radiators back into the room.
"This means rooms warm up quicker and retain heat for longer."
2. Plug the gaps
Insulation can make a huge difference in heating your house properly - particularly in the roof.
Mr Gibson said: "Contrary to popular belief, insulating your home doesn’t have to be expensive.
"Low cost draft excluders can work wonders at preventing drafts from doors or cracks in floors and walls, while insulation tape for windows can be bought for less than £10.
"While insulating a loft is a bit more involved and costly, it is highly cost-effective."
3. Switch suppliers
If your heating bills are through the roof, you might want to consider switching suppliers.
Mr Gibson said: "Most will automatically register you to the more expensive ‘standard’ tariffs.
"By simply switching to a cheaper tariff with your existing provider, you could save hundreds of pounds.
"However, it’s worth shopping around to get the best deal. Industry regulator Ofgem provides a list of accredited price comparison websites."
4. Install sustainable energy systems
Installing sustainable energy systems like a heat pump can drastically cut both your bill, and your carbon emissions.
Mr Gibson explained: "By transferring heat from an external source such as the air or ground, heat pumps reduce energy use and maximise efficiency, meaning they are typically cheaper and ‘greener’ to run than off-grid heating systems.
"The electrical costs of running the heat pumps can also be offset by using other renewable technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels [often called solar PV] and battery storage.
"They can be initially expensive to install, but systems typically pay for themselves over several years in bill savings.
"What’s more, government funding is available to help with installation costs."
