As the weather gets colder, UK households will be keen to keep their homes as warm as possible without increasing their monthly energy bills.
As temperatures begin to drop, households across the UK will be eager to keep their homes as cosy as possible without seeing their monthly energy bills spiral. To help homeowners stay warm without splashing out on the central heating, experts are recommending a series of ‘little-known’ tips and tricks – including a ‘6.30pm rule’.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mirror, Phil Steele, Future Technologies Evangelist at Octopus Energy, revealed a lesser-known energy-saving hack he believes more people should be aware of. He said: “Something as simple as closing your curtains when it gets dark can help keep warmth inside your home, particularly if you have thick or thermal curtains.”
He added: “Just make sure they don’t hang over your radiators, as this can trap heat behind them rather than warming the room. It’s a small change that can help you make better use of the heating you’re already paying for.”
Windows are amongst the main culprits when it comes to heat loss in the home. Drawing curtains or blinds as soon as the sun sets, however, creates an additional layer of insulation that prevents warm air from escaping while keeping draughty cold air at bay, reports the Mirror.
Why is timing important?
Sunset is expected at around 6.30pm today, 12 October, across the UK. In light of Mr Steele’s advice, homeowners are being encouraged to close their curtains around that time to retain heat indoors, potentially putting off the need to switch on the central heating and keeping energy costs as low as possible for as long as possible.
As the month progresses, daylight will diminish earlier and earlier. By 31 October, darkness will descend at around 4.30pm, compelling households to adjust their everyday routines.
How can following the rule help trap warmth indoors?
As Mr Steele noted, thick or thermal curtains can prove highly effective in keeping your home warmer by minimising heat loss through windows. While standard curtains can reduce window heat loss by 15% to 17%, switching to heavy, thermally-lined curtains can cut this figure by as much as 33%.
They function by creating a trapped pocket of still air between the room and the cold glass, acting as a barrier against draughts, convection currents and radiant heat loss.
To get the most out of their energy-saving properties, opt for dense fabrics such as velvet or wool with thermal linings, hang them flush against the wall and floor to eliminate any gaps, and ensure they do not obstruct your radiators. For optimal results, open them throughout the day to let natural sunlight warm your home, then draw them tightly shut at dusk to retain the heat inside.
If purchasing brand new thermal curtains is beyond your budget, Martin Lewis recommends lining your existing curtains with an inexpensive fleece blanket or throw. This creates a highly effective, cost-conscious insulation barrier. Simply be sure to check the label for fire safety guidance and keep them well away from open flames.
What else can homeowners do?
Octopus Energy also advises checking various other areas of the home to prevent unnecessary heat loss. A spokesperson said: “Check loft insulation, filling any draughty gaps around windows or doors, and don’t forget things like letter boxes or unused chimneys that leak warm air. Bleed radiators so they run efficiently and avoid covering them with furniture or curtains – especially under windows.”
If your home has a gas boiler, it is worth checking its flow temperature, the temperature of the water travelling from the boiler to the radiators. The spokesperson said that many are set too high as standard. “Lowering it to 55–60°C keeps homes just as warm but can trim bills by around 12% (up to £65 a year, according to Nesta),” they said.
It is also worth considering how you use your thermostat. Treating it as an on/off switch or a “boost” button can actually squander energy, as the system has to work harder to reheat the space, the spokesperson explained.
“You’ll stay comfier – and use energy more efficiently – by setting it to come on only when you need it and leaving it steady between 18–21°C. Turning it down by just one degree could save up to £145 a year,” they added.
