Bubblewrap can keep your home warm this winter says expert

Many households across the country feel like they’re stuck between turning on the heating and delaying the inevitable sky-high energy bills. However, there are some other methods they can put in place to keep their home from freezing without incurring any bills.

Andrew Haydon, a Home Improvement Expert at Simply Plastics, highlighted simple changes around the home can also make your central heating more effective, ensuring you get every penny’s worth when you do eventually turn it on. The first, and probably the most bizarre, is covering your windows with bubble wrap.

The expert explained that windows are an area where you often lose significant amounts of heat and shutting them off with curtains can completely cut out much-needed sunlight that is in limited supply during the winter months. Instead, adding a layer of clear plastic like bubble wrap with some sellotape can trap the heat while letting the sunshine in.

Andrew said: “Raid your recycling bins for any flexible plastics like bubble wrap. Simply stick the bubble wrap to your windows using sellotape to help trap in some of that all-important heat.

"You could also use cling film as a cheaper alternative to window film - simply apply it to your window the same way as the film before using a hair dryer on low heat to get it to shrink to your windows. This will work the same as the bubble wrap in adding an extra layer of insulation, but can also stop any heat from escaping from any draughts or loose seals.”

You can also choose to hang up some old blankets or sheets around your windows to stop heat from leaking out through them, as the expert noted even one layer can make a major difference. However, letting the sunshine into your home can act as “free heat” even when the temperatures outside are frosty.

For those with a bit of a budget, Andrew recommended secondary glazing which works similarly to his bubblewrap hack but is a bit more aesthetically pleasing. For most subtle, unseen tricks, the expert suggested putting some tin foil behind your radiator to reflect heat that would’ve been lost into your walls back into the room. He noted that this can even be done with cleaned-out crisp packets.

If you have draughts or are losing heat in other areas besides your walls and windows, Andrew recommended rolling up old towels or bedding to use as fillers. He said: “If you have an old pair of tights or long socks, you could also make a DIY excluder by filling it with old socks or other clothes that can’t be donated - perfect for keeping warm and cutting down on waste.”

Finally, one of the simplest ways to get some “free heat” is to properly use the warmth you create while cooking - as long as you can do it safely. Andrew explained: “Once you’re done using your oven, don’t let all that heat go to waste! You will have already ‘paid’ for the electricity use, so once you’re done, turn the oven off and leave the door open to let the residual heat spread through your home.”

He added: “These small hacks can make a huge difference to the warmth of your home, especially if you use a few of them together. The key is to try and trap in as much heat as you can, which could even help reduce your bills by making your heating far more efficient.”