These simple hacks could do wonders for your heating bill this winter: experts

Drop your energy costs like they’re hot.

With tumbling temperatures comes — like snow and Santa Claus — a sometimes steep rise in the heating bill.

But with a little ingenuity, experts say, anybody can stretch their winter dollar further, keeping the house warm and your bank account from draining out entirely — no move to Florida required.

One surefire fix? Anybody with a classic radiator can harness the heat better by putting a shelf above it, according to My Plumber, a U.K.-based maintenance company.

“Fitting a shelf above your radiators not only looks nice but also helps to direct heat from the radiator into the room. This technique is particularly useful if you have any radiators that are positioned directly below a window,” a representative said. 

Another suggestion — put sheets of tin foil behind the radiator to keep the heat from being absorbed into the back wall. 

“Pay particular attention to those that are fitted to external walls. The reflective foil bounces heat back into the room rather than allowing it to escape through the wall,” the pro continued.

Their third tip is to keep curtains and other furniture away from the front of the radiator so as not to block the flow of heat to the rest of the room. 

“Try not to position furniture directly in front of any radiators, otherwise, you will restrict the heat distribution into the room. Instead, position your sofa and other furniture in areas that will keep your radiators clear and functioning at their best,” they explained.

Not only do curtains obstruct the radiator, but they can also block the heat from the sun coming through the windows during the day. 

However, having thick curtains can be beneficial in keeping the cold air from windows out of your home in areas with lower winter light, or lack of direct sunshine. If you don’t want to buy thick curtains, you can line them yourself with thermal lining or fleece, they explained. 

The experts added that even the smallest draft, from a small hole like a keyhole, can make your home colder — they recommended sealing keyholes and letterboxes with heavy tape.