Experts have shared a simple yet effective hack to help save on energy bills this winter and it doesn’t cost a penny. And with energy bills on the rise, it’s more important than ever to be wise with your heating
As the cost of living crisis continues, heating experts have offered a simple tip to help reduce energy bills this winter.
With temperatures dropping and concerns about heating homes on a budget growing, experts have provided several tips to keep the cold at bay.
One incredibly straightforward yet effective “hack” has been shared by experts at Shutterly Fabulous. They suggest up to £362 can be saved annually on energy bills by simply ensuring curtains, blinds, or shutters are open during the day.
This allows sunlight to naturally warm your home, taking advantage of the natural greenhouse effect. Energy bills officially increased in October 2024, and with the recent announcement of a further 1.2% rise from January 2025, the struggle to make ends meet shows no signs of abating.
By opening curtains, blinds, or shutters during the day, sunlight carrying heat energy is allowed into your home. This heat is absorbed by surfaces like floors, walls, and furniture, which then slowly release the absorbed heat, warming the room.
This method is very similar to the greenhouse effect and is an ideal option considering the high cost of turning on the heating nowadays.
Allowing natural sunlight to warm your home during the day also reduces the need for heating over longer periods. This allows you to turn on the heating in the evenings and at night, saving on energy consumption bills.
The experts at Shutterly recommend closing your window dressings at night to retain the extra heat gained during the day, which adds an extra layer of insulation against the cold outside.
Sam Tamlyn, interior expert and managing director at Shutterly Fabulous said: “Investing in high-quality shutters, blackout blinds, and thermal blinds is a clever move for any homeowner looking to improve their energy efficiency and save where they can on their bills.
“With winter well and truly here, it’s important to be mindful of saving on energy costs where possible, especially with rising prices.
“This hack is great because it helps you utilise what you’ve got and ensure that you’re saving money when and where possible.”
It seems this has been a long discussed topic, with a now-archived thread on Reddit discussing the benefits of keeping curtains and blinds open throughout the daytime. One commenter advised: “Open during the day, close at night. At least the ones that receive a good amount of light. For windows that don’t receive direct sunlight, don’t bother.”
Another said: “As others have said, open to let the light in, closed otherwise. Even heavy drapes won’t make much of a difference, though.”
A third added: “Open your curtains to let direct sunlight in – free heat!”
