6 Free Hacks to Keep Your Home Warm During April’s Cold Snap, Including Creative Uses for Old Crisp Packets
With parts of the nation set to be hit with another cold snap, with fears of April snow, billpayers are set to struggle to keep their homes warm enough – but according to Andrew Haydon from Simply Plastics, keeping your home warm doesn’t have to break the bank.
“While you can’t change the price of the energy you’re paying for, you can ensure that your home stays warmer without the need to hike up your energy bill,” says Andrew. “In fact, there are lots of ways you can make your home feel warmer and get the most out of your heating bill without having to spend a penny – you just have to get creative.”
Here, Andrew shares 6 of his FREE DIY hacks to keep your home warmer during April’s cold snap:
Put Bubble Wrap on Your Windows
Plastic is a great insulator against the cold, especially in areas like windows where you can lose a significant amount of heat, so 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.
Keep Your Oven Door Open After Cooking
Turn Old Blankets or Sheets Into Insulating Curtains
If you have some old blankets or sheets and a few pegs you can add an extra layer of insulation to your home for free – simply pin them to your existing curtain rail or rod to help bulk out thin curtains, keeping the heat in and the cold out. Just be careful not to overload your curtain rail – just one layer can make a huge difference!
Place Tin Foil Behind Radiators
If you struggle to feel the benefit of your radiators, try sticking some tin foil behind them. This will help to reflect some of the heat back towards your room and is cheaper than reflector foil, just make sure to use sturdy double-sided tape to keep it adhered to the wall. If you’re in a real pinch, you can also use cut-up old crisp packets – just make sure to give them a thorough wash before using.
Roll-up Towels to Block Out Draughts
If you don’t have a draught excluder, you make one for free by rolling up an old towel or bedding and placing it at the bottom of your doors. This will help keep any heat you’ve accumulated from being lost through large gaps under your doors and will help stop any cold air from blowing in. Make sure to clean your floor before placing it down to prevent it from spreading any dirt or dust about. 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.
Let The Sun In
“These small hacks can make a huge difference to the warmth of your home, especially if you use a few of them together,” says Andrew. “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.”
About Simply Plastics
Simply Plastics is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of plastic materials, with over three decades of expertise and a diverse range of products including secondary window glazing, acrylic sheeting, custom, cut-to-size signage materials, and more.