Woman's £1 trick will make your home 'feel like a desert' on cold autumn nights

17 October 2023 , 13:35

753     0

Improve insulation in your home for less than £2 (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images)

As the cold weather hits and temperatures plunge, Brits are starting to brace for the chilly mornings and evenings, after an unusually warm start to October.

Many households will be worried about having to turn the heating on due to the soaring costs in bills, and instead, will be wrapping up in extra layers and filling up hot water bottles to help keep the costs down.

However, one woman has shared a handy trick to get the most out of your central heating, adding "extra" heat to any room. The best part? It will only cost you £1.45.

With the imminent arrival of Storm Babet, keeping our homes warm is at the top of everyone's minds and this woman claims her trick will make your home "as warm as a desert".

The TikToker, known as @the.cosyclub, shared her budget-friendly hack online, revealing it costs just £1.45 to insulate your room more quickly and effectively. As she held up a box of tin foil from Tesco she said: "Watch this if you want your house to feel like a desert this winter."

Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights

Writing alongside the video, she said: "Energy prices are crazy so we'll keep you cosy!" She then told people to get an old piece of cardboard and wrap the foil around it and "shove it behind a radiator", so the top section pokes out above the radiator. She then added: "Enjoy the extra heat" as she gave a thumbs up to the camera.

She wrapped the cardboard in tin foil from Tesco for £1.45 (TikTok/@the.cosyclub)

She keeps the top of the cardboard sticking out to insulate the room (TikTok/@the.cosyclub)

The hack means that no heat will be lost behind the radiator, as the tin foil reflects the heat back into the room. People were quick to praise her for her handy tip and noticed the difference. "I've done this a couple of weeks ago. can honestly say I've noticed the difference. When asked how it worked, the savvy TikToker explained: "It reflects the heat that's lost through walls, back into the room."

It's estimated that 25 per cent of household heat is lost through draughts in homes, and experts at Hiatt Hardware have recommended that home owners tackle the draught areas first, before blasting their radiators in a bid to help save money on bills. There are a number of easy ways to prevent drafts, and the first is to make sure any external doors are draught-proof - this could reduce heat loss by up to 30 per cent. Another culprit for letting cold air in are windows - although shut, they can also let in a nasty draught.

"External doors are also big areas in which cold air can find its way into your home. Gaps around the edges of your door can be addressed by applying the same draught-proofing strips, as for your windows. When tackling the gap at the bottom of your door, you can install a door brush or door seal to prevent any unwanted air from getting inside. Draught excluders are also a great, cost-effective option that, in extreme cases, can reduce heat loss by up to 30 per cent," the experts suggest.

Niamh Kirk