Plumber swears by £5 Lidl item that can save Brits £85 on energy bills this autumn

A plumber has revealed the five hacks that could save you a lot of money this winter - and the £5 Lidl item you need in your household.

As temperatures drop, Brits are turning to their heating systems, resulting in energy bills rising. But there are ways to save money on your household bills, with an expert from Advanced Heating & Plumbing broke down the best ways to keep your home at a comfortable temperature this winter.

Draughts

Draughts are one of the main causes of temperatures inside the home dropping, allowing the cold in while sending the heat out. This can mean you have to leave your heating on for longer, so identifying draught points and blocking them is crucial.

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To do this, you can simply place a draught excluder at the bottom of your doors to prevent cold air from creeping in. And you can pick up a draught excluder for just £4.99 from the Lidl middle aisle right now that helps you save up to £85 on your energy bills this winter.

Your windows can also cause draughts. You can check for draughts around your windows by holding a candle near the frame and if the flame flickers, there's a gap. To seal your window gaps, use draught-proofing strips or caulk.

You may also want to close unused chimneys in your home to stop cold air coming down. So if your fireplace is just for show, now is the time to take action to prevent heat loss.

Add rugs

Rugs can help with heat retention in the home, particularly in areas where the flooring is predominantly floorboards or tiles. Simply placing rugs throughout your home can help to insulate your floors and create a warmer space.

The pro recommended opting for shaggy rugs or other heavyweight options to "trap heat effectively". And for even better insulation, you can add an underlay beneath your rugs. This stops them from slipping and boosts their heat-retention properties.

Use radiators

The plumber also shared three steps you can take to elevate your radiators this winter. And you don't even have to blast them to increase the heat in your home.

Simply moving large furniture away such as sofas away from your radiators can help the heat to "circulate freely". You can also add reflectors behind your radiators to direct heat back into the room.

Reflection panels are available at affordable prices online or you can try using a kitchen staple for just £1. Or you can opt for a radiator fan, which you simply sit on top of your radiator to circulate warm air more effectively.

Curtains or blinds

According to the plumber, you should also open your curtains during the day to let sunlight naturally heat your rooms. And at night, simply close your curtains and blinds to trap warmth and prevent heat loss.

For added insulation, you may want to invest in thermal-lined curtains.

Everyday heat hacks

The plumber shared additional tips you can use to boost the heat in your home. For example, after baking or roasting, you can leave the oven door open to let the residual heat warm your kitchen.

And making a brew can also add warmth as the steam from your kettle brings humidity to the air, making it feel less cold. Finally, layering up with cosy blankets and throws can be an inexpensive way to stay warm.