I’m a home improvement expert & I’ve got 6 simple hacks to help slash your energy bills this winter – they are free too

WITH the cold weather finally here, many bill payers are worried about keeping their homes warm without breaking the bank. 

But according to one expert, it doesn't have to be expensive. 

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As temperatures drop, households are preparing for higher energy bills, but staying cosy doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Andrew Haydon, a home improvement expert at Simply Plastics, has shared six simple and free hacks that can help keep your home warm without increasing your energy usage.

"While you can't change the price of the energy you're paying for, you can ensure that your home stays warmer without the need to hike up your energy bill," says Andrew.

"In fact, there are lots of ways you can make your home feel warmer and get the most out of your heating bill without having to spend a penny - you just have to get creative."

Here, Andrew shares his FREE DIY hacks to keep your home warmer this winter.

Put bubble wrap on your windows

Plastic is a great insulator against the cold, especially in areas like windows where you can lose a significant amount of heat, so raid your recycling bins for any flexible plastics like bubble wrap.

Simply stick the bubble wrap to your windows using sellotape to help trap in some of that all-important heat! 

You could also use cling film as a cheaper alternative to window film - simply apply it to your window the same way as the film before using a hair dryer on low heat to get it to shrink to your windows. 

This will work the same as the bubble wrap in adding an extra layer of insulation, but can also stop any heat from escaping from any draughts or loose seals.

Turn old blankets or sheets into insulating curtains

If you have some old blankets or sheets and a few pegs you can add an extra layer of insulation to your home for free.

Simply pin them to your existing curtain rail or rod to help bulk out thin curtains, keeping the heat in and the cold out.

If you’re in a real pinch, you can also cut-up old crisp packets

Andrew Haydon

Just be careful not to overload your curtain rail - just one layer can make a huge difference.

Place tin foil behind radiators

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If you struggle to feel the benefit of your radiators, try sticking some tin foil behind them.

This will help to reflect some of the heat back towards your room and is cheaper than reflector foil, just make sure to use sturdy double-sided tape to keep it adhered to the wall. 

If you’re in a real pinch, you can also cut-up old crisp packets - just make sure to give them a thorough wash before using.

Roll-up towels to block out draughts

If you don’t have a draught excluder, you make one for free by rolling up an old towel or bedding and placing it at the bottom of your doors. 

This will help keep any heat you’ve accumulated from being lost through large gaps under your doors and will help stop any cold air from blowing in.

Make sure to clean your floor before placing it down to prevent it from spreading any dirt or dust about.

If you have an old pair of tights or long socks, you could also make a DIY excluder by filling it with old socks or other clothes that can’t be donated - perfect for keeping warm and cutting down on waste.

Keep your oven door open after cooking 

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Once you’re done using your oven, don’t let all that heat go to waste!

You will have already ‘paid’ for the electricity use, so once you’re done, turn the oven off and leave the door open to let the residual heat spread through your home.

For safety, if you have small children or pets it’s best to leave the kitchen door shut, only opening the door to let the heat spread once you’ve checked that the oven has mostly cooled and can be shut again.

It’s small, but with the cost of energy still high, it pays to use every penny.

Let the sun in 

If you’re lucky enough to have an eastern-facing window, make sure to open your curtains when it’s sunny. 

Even when it’s chilly outside, the sun blaring through your windows can help heat up your room, meaning you can crank down your thermostat a touch and get some ‘free’ heating. 

The key is to try and trap in as much heat as you can

Andrew Haydon

As soon as the sun has gone in, close your curtains to help trap in some of that natural warmth.

However, if you do have the budget, Andrew recommends investing in secondary glazing.

He says: “This will work similarly to window film or bubble wrap by trapping in heat or blocking draughts, but looks far more aesthetically pleasing and can be made to fit your windows perfectly - plus they’re great for blocking out noise. 

“You can get glazing made from £0.58 per 50mm, so around £27 for an average window, which you’ll benefit from year on year.

“These small hacks can make a huge difference to the warmth of your home, especially if you use a few of them together.

“The key is to try and trap in as much heat as you can, which could even help reduce your bills by making your heating far more efficient.”