Due to energy bills seeming to always be on the rise alongside general cost-of-living worries, understandably, people are looking for ways to cut some costs in that area too.
There is a relatively easy tip that people could utilise as a way to heat their home more efficiently, thus meaning it doesn’t have to be on for as long, which can help cut some bills.
Placing an item above a radiator can help circulate warm air around a room more effectively.
UK households urged to place one item above radiators to cut energy bills
Having a shelf fixed in the wall above and in line with a radiator can help with this, as explained by Stephen Hankinson, an Energy Efficiency Expert at Electric Radiators Direct.
He shared: “Building a shelf above and in line with your radiator is one way to increase warm air circulation throughout a space as it redirects the air forward into the room, rather than rising up to the ceiling and dispersing.
“This improves heating efficiency, warming the room faster and in turn, saving on your energy bills.”
Rebecca Routledge, money-saving expert at Money Wellness, concurred with this, as she explained: “Placing a small shelf or heat reflector above a radiator helps push warmth out into the room instead of letting it rise straight up to the ceiling.
“It’s a simple trick that can make your heating work more efficiently and help rooms feel warmer for the same amount of energy used.
“In a typical home, that could trim around £20 to £50 a year off heating costs, particularly in older or draughty properties.”
Discussing where exactly you should place the shelf, Stephen shared: “There are no hard rules for this modification, however, as a general rule, leave at least 10-15cm between your radiator and the bottommost shelf to allow for convection heat to distribute around the room.
“As well as this, ensure heat-resistant materials such as solid wood are used for your shelf to avoid heat damage or warping.”
Shelf above radiator can be combined with other energy-saving tools
While the shelf above a radiator tip can be useful to save money on bills, Rebecca explained that one thing on its own wouldn’t make a massive difference.
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She said: “That said, no single fix will make a huge difference on its own.
“The real savings come from combining a few small steps, like using draught excluders, bleeding radiators so they heat evenly, closing curtains before it gets dark, and only heating the rooms you actually use.
“These simple habits can add up to noticeable savings and help you stay cosy for less this winter.”
