The UK health security agency (UKHSA) has issued a level three cold weather alert for England, as temperatures are expected to plunge to -10 degrees in some places with possible wintry showers and snow. The alert is triggered when severe cold weather is likely to significantly affect people’s health – particularly those with underlying health conditions. Therefore, health ministers have now issued advice to the public to heat their living rooms during the day and their bedrooms before going to sleep. However, soaring costs mean that some people may resist using their heating, even during the unseasonably cold temperatures expected this week.
In a feat to help the nation stay warm whilst keeping costs low the nation’s leading sustainability and money-saving platform, SaveMoneyCutCarbon, outlines the low-cost ways for homes to stay warm this winter.
Studies suggest household temperatures should be kept to at least 18℃ to minimise the risk to health, however, landmark research from SaveMoneyCutCarbon found that a staggering 67% of Brits are more conscious of turning their central off because they cannot afford to leave it on.
The below tips from SaveMoneyCutCarbon go some way in shielding Brits from soaring energy prices and maintaining reduced energy consumption:
1. Radflek radiator reflector foil sheets are one easiest and most cost-effective ways to save energy in your home. The foil sheets reflect 95% of the wasted heat energy from the rear of your radiators back into your room. Radflek helps to lower your energy bills – you can get and keep your room to the desired temperature quicker by reflecting the heat that’s usually wasted
2. Draught Buster Internal Door Draught Excluder is a simple and cost-effective way to save energy and money by reducing heat loss and preventing draughts in your home. It is not widely known that 10% of your home’s heat is lost through your letterbox. By simply sliding the excluder onto the bottom of any standard internal door, the Draught Buster easily reduces draught entering the home.
3. Did you know 40% of your home’s energy escapes through your windows? An EcoSavers Window Insulation Kit can reduce heat loss through single-glazed windows by adding a layer of clear window insulation. Stopping cold air from getting into your room through your windows means you’ll be turning up the thermostat less and saving money on your energy bills.
4. Far Infrared Heaters are the most efficient of all the space heater options and consume the lowest wattage, making them the cheapest to run. Far Infrared is radiant heating and is most easily absorbed by people’s skin. In fact, all objects, including us emit and absorb infrared. Far Infrared heaters take advantage of the unique warming properties of this radiation. When the Far Infrared waves touch surfaces in a room, heat energy is released and so the ceiling, walls and floor of a room are gently heated.
5. Ceramic Heaters are also an efficient option and have the cheapest up-front cost. First, the ceramic heating element is heated using electricity, and this then heats up the surrounding air. Some also have a fan which helps to move the heated air around. The cost of running them depends entirely on their wattage and how you use them.
