Expert reveals heating myths that won't save you money

The government has launched schemes to help support families during the cost of living crisis, with further plans by the national grid to help families get money back by using less energy. 

However, many have been looking for advice on cheap and easy ways to heat their home without turning the heating on. 

From using tin foil, getting an electric heater and even painting radiators black. 

But now an expert has shared their wisdom in a bid to help debunk heating myths and help families save money. 

Canva (Image: Canva)

As Jess Steele, heating technology expert at designer radiator specialists BestHeating explains why certain advice shouldn’t be taken as gospel.

Expert reveals heating myths that won't save you money

Tin foil reduces heating bills

Recently shared by a few popular names, using tin foil will not reduce your heating bills but can make the heat go further. 

As Jess shares: "Radiators still have to be turned on and reach a high temperature for a lengthy period of time to heat a home for the foil to have the desired effect, so this will have a slight impact on the warmth in a room, but the costs will end up being basically the same."

Put the thermostat on high in short bursts will lower costs

Turing the heating up for a short period of time will not make the room warmer quicker but will cost you more money. 

"By the time you turn it off this will only cost money without reward as it will not make a house feel warmer at all and raise bills" Jess shares.

Adding that you should "Instead, set a timer for the most common periods you need a warm house such as just before you wake up and when you are relaxing in an evening, but turn this off if the weather is a little warmer than usual during the cold spell."

Canva (Image: Canva)

It is cheaper to heat a house with an electric heater instead of a radiator

Although costs are rising, Jess reveals that central heating is more efficient than a heater. 

Saying: "Central heating is a lot cheaper to run than an electric heater, for every unit of heat from a radiator it will cost around three times as much for a unit put out by an electric heater."

However, there is one expectation, as Jess shares "if radiators aren’t turned off in unoccupied rooms, then an electric heater will prove cheaper, but this isn’t being savvy with bills.”

Painting radiators black can reduce energy bills 

This common myth is built on the idea that black absorbs heat quicker so will transfer heat out at a better rate than white or other coloured radiators. 

However, Jess reveals the truth: "The colour of a radiator has no effect on how effective it is because the majority of heat emitted is convective, which can’t be impacted by different shades.

It's more important to insulate walls to prevent heat from leaking out of a home altogether.”

Your Money Matters

Your Money Matters is a campaign launched by us and our sister titles across Newsquest to help you overcome the surge in the cost of living. This year has seen a whole host of household price increases — from the energy price cap rise to surging inflation and food prices — costing your family hundreds or even thousands of pounds extra per year. We’re making it our mission to look out for your cash, offering money-saving deals, competitions, giveaways and insightful stories from your community on the impact this cost-of-living crisis is having on our readers. The worldwide energy crisis exacerbated by the Ukraine invasion, the financial impact of the Covid pandemic, record inflation figures and a surge in the cost of goods, fuel and travel means we will all feel the pinch. Through our newspaper, we want to do what we can to help make your cash go further because we know your money matters.