The energy price cap was hiked by £20 on Tuesday, with households bracing themselves for a challenging winter
People are bracing themselves for a tough winter as energy costs continue to soar, following the announcement of an updated energy price cap. Ofgem has set a new annual energy bill limit of £1,738 for the typical household using both gas and electricity – it’s up 1.2% from the previous cap ruling from October 1 to December 31, 2024 (£1,717).
While this may be unsettling, there are some steps you can take to lessen the financial blow. Surprisingly, one such measure involves buying an unexpected product from B&Q.
Sellers claim that using this item could reduce home heating loss by ‘up to 50%’, potentially helping you to cut down on your long-term energy use. The aluminium ‘Diall Radiator reflector’ foil, is available for £14.97.
The 5m2 reflective sheet is designed to be cut to the perfect fit behind your heaters. It works by reflecting heat back into the room, minimising heat escape through walls that are poorly insulated.
“Cut the product to size (using scissors or cutter), taking account for the incisions for the radiator brackets.”, reports the Express.
B&Q explains: “Apply adhesive on the polystyrene side. Slip the product behind the radiator and press on carefully.”
It’s worth noting that the product can withstand temperatures up to 60C and has a customer satisfaction rating of 4.2/5 stars, as well as a Green Star certification. However, if the Diall Radiator reflector foil isn’t to your liking, there are plenty of other options available online.
Screwfix is offering a 195mm x 500mm roll of insulating foil for just £9.99, while The Range’s version costs £23.99. Alternatively, Dunelm has electric blankets priced at £17, which are made from a thick, soft material and have a 35W output.
They also feature an auto-off function for added safety. According to the manufacturer, “The blanket is efficiently designed to allow consistent warmth as you sleep…For a quick and easy clean, simply detach the temperature controller and pop the blanket into the washing machine.”
