As the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze budgets, heating experts have offered a tip that is both simple and effective for keeping energy bills in check this winter.
Amid growing concerns about the expense of heating homes during the colder months, advice from industry specialists highlights one easy “hack” to keep the cold at bay without spending a fortune.
According to the pros at Shutterly Fabulous, you could save up to £362 annually on your energy costs by simply making sure your curtains, blinds, or shutters are left open during daylight hours, allowing the sun to naturally warm your home, much like a greenhouse.
With energy prices having already soared in October 2024, and the chilling announcement that they’ll climb yet again by 1.2% starting January 2025, it’s becoming increasingly tough for households to balance their finances. Letting sunlight flood into your house during the day taps into the energy it brings as heat, which then gets soaked up by surfaces such as floors, walls, and furniture.
Over time, these elements emit this stored warmth, raising the room’s temperature in a process akin to the greenhouse effect – a particularly welcomed approach given the current prohibitive cost of running the heating.
Allowing natural sunlight to warm your home during the day also reduces the need for heating over longer periods. This allows you to turn on the heating in the evenings and at night, saving on energy consumption bills.
The experts at Shutterly recommend closing your curtains or blinds at night to retain the extra heat gained during the day, which adds an extra layer of insulation against the cold outside.
Sam Tamlyn, interior expert and managing director at Shutterly Fabulous said: “Investing in high-quality shutters, blackout blinds, and thermal blinds is a clever move for any homeowner looking to improve their energy efficiency and save where they can on their bills.
“With winter well and truly here, it’s important to be mindful of saving on energy costs where possible, especially with rising prices.”
This hack is great because it helps you utilise what you’ve got and ensure that you’re saving money when and where possible.
It seems this has been a long discussed topic, with a now-archived thread on Reddit discussing the benefits of keeping curtains and blinds open throughout the daytime. One commenter advised: “Open during the day, close at night. At least the ones that receive a good amount of light. For windows that don’t receive direct sunlight, don’t bother.”
Another said: “As others have said, open to let the light in, closed otherwise. Even heavy drapes won’t make much of a difference, though. While a third added: “Open your curtains to let direct sunlight in – free heat!”