IT’S no secret that the cost of heating homes has soared, leaving many people trying out alternative methods to keep warm.
One savvy woman has shared her trick that’s perfect for renters who don’t have double glazed windows and want to keep out the cold air.
The trick is perfect for the cold weather and won’t break the bank[/caption]
The bubble wrap acts like another layer of glazing on windows to keep heat in[/caption]
You don’t need to fork out on any pricey products either – some good old fashioned bubble wrap is all you need.
Posting on Instagram, Jen shared the trick and showed how to make it renter-friendly, leaving other DIY fans stunned.
All you need to do is buy a roll of bubble wrap – you can buy a large roll from Amazon for as little as £8.49, which would be big enough to cover most of the windows in your home, or simply use any you’ve got from packages and don’t spend a penny.
Cut the bubble wrap to size so it firs in your window pane exactly, then you can either stick it on using tape, or make the most out of Jen’s renter tip.
“We’re not sure we’re going to leave it up so in this case we’re just going to use a wet cloth or a spray bottle [of water],” she explained.
The black the flat side of the bubble wrap to the glass, and the bubble wrap should stick to the glass.
If you are using tape, make sure the bubbles are facing outwards though, the DIY whizz added.
After the window was completely covered in bubble wrap, Jen shared an update from Issaac, whose bedroom the window is in.
“I woke up this morning and my nose was warm!! And the whole house had the cool edge taken off it! Was really amazing,” he told Jen.
The viral video caught the attention of other DIY lovers, and one revealed they used the hack in their old home too.
“I did this in the apartment I rented back in 2017,” they wrote.
“It solved two problems with the huge windows, privacy and window condensation.
“No more mildew grew around the frames and it made a big difference with temperature and I had plenty of light and some appreciated privacy – end of the tenancy I just peeled it off and used it to wrap my stuff for the move.”
Another also loved the hack: “I used this in my glass greenhouse and it worked great,” they commented on the clip.
“I do this every year in winter for my kids’ rooms because their beds are close to the windows. It actually works,” someone else penned.
And another chimed in: “I did this and it also stopped all the condensation during winter, love it.”
Other tricks to keep your home warm
Property expert Joshua Houston previously shared his tips for keeping your home warm this winter on a budget.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
1. Draught-proof your home
It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder.
2. Dial down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year!
3. Move furniture around
Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators.
4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin
Unless it’s bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person not the home
There’s not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.
