Households in Scotland could save cash on rising energy bills this winter with a simple home hack that takes only a few minutes, experts say.
With regulator Ofgem’s energy price cap set to rise by 10 per cent, or an average of £149 per year, for the average household, many families are worried about heating their homes as the weather turns colder. And it comes as forecasts indicate the price cap, which dictates home energy costs, could increase further in January.
Meanwhile, as many as 860,000 Scottish pensioners are set to lose their Winter Fuel Payment under controversial plans by the new Labour government, with the move to be replicated by the SNP at Holyrood. So with Scots needing all the energy-saving tips they can get, interior design experts at Sofa Club have one easy solution that could help.
They say moving your sofa away from the radiator could potentially save Scots a small fortune – to prevent any heat from getting blocked.
Monika Puccio, sofa-buying expert at the firm Sofa Club, said: “Positioning your sofa away from the radiator is a simple yet effective way to optimise the energy distributed around the living room. When your sofa is positioned too close to a radiator, it blocks the heat from circulating effectively – this is especially true for darker-coloured sofas, as they tend to absorb and retain heat.
“Not only does this method prevent any potential health and safety risks associated with your sofa overheating, but it also reduces wear and tear, prolonging its lifespan. This also means you shouldn’t have to spend money replacing your sofa as often.”
And she said there are other interior design benefits to moving your sofa. Monika added: “Positioning the sofa away from the radiator can instantly make the living space feel more open and inviting.
“By giving your furniture the space to breathe, you create a more dynamic flow, which allows the room to feel less cramped and more balanced. In light of rising energy costs expected this year, these simple adjustments are certainly something to bear in mind as we approach the colder, more demanding winter period.”
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