Heating experts recommend a straightforward curtain method for retaining warmth and reducing energy bills this winter
There’s nothing quite like settling into a warm, cosy home in winter, but balancing heating bills with comfort can be tricky.
Keeping your home at around 18C to 20C is crucial for health and to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Heating experts at All the Home have revealed a simple trick to stay warm without keeping radiators on all day – just keep your curtains open.
They said: “One straightforward way to enhance heat retention is to adjust your curtains based on the sun’s position.
“During the day, open your curtains to let sunlight warm your home. Natural sunlight can increase room temperatures by as much as 10 degrees, significantly reducing your heating needs.”
Though it sounds basic, opening curtains during daylight allows sunshine to heat different surfaces in your home, including walls, floors and furniture, reports the Express.
This raises the room’s temperature by creating a greenhouse effect that traps extra warmth inside, keeping you comfortable into the evening.
How to use curtains to keep a home warm To start with, it’s worth testing this method in rooms with south-facing or west-facing windows, as these benefit from more direct sunlight throughout the day. Simply draw back your curtains during late morning when the sun is brightest, then close them again in early evening as darkness approaches.
The expert said: “As the sun sets, close your curtains to trap the heat inside. This simple routine of opening and closing curtains can cut heat loss by nearly 25%, reducing reliance on your heating system.”
Paler colours will reflect warmth more efficiently, so placing a white or light-coloured rug in the room you wish to heat should make a visible difference.
If you have any furniture such as an armchair placed near your window, moving it can stop it from blocking incoming sunlight.
Make sure your windows are thoroughly clean too, as even a thin layer of dirt can reduce the amount of natural light coming into a room.
Taking just a few moments to open and close curtains can help keep your home warm and hold onto heat, meaning you won’t have to leave your radiators on all the time.
It’s an exceptionally simple way to keep room temperatures higher while cutting energy usage, enabling you to make small savings with little effort.
