![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Laura-de-barra-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHeating your home this winter can be a worry, as energy bills remain high.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking for an easy way to save on your bills, you might want to think about thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If your central heating system doesn\u2019t have a timer or form of control to manage the energy output to different rooms, these devices can work a treat.<\/p>\n
At Screwfix, you can pick some up from just a tenner \u2013 and they are easy to fit yourself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But once you\u2019ve made the investment in TRVs, you need to ensure you are using them correctly. <\/p>\n
If not, you could find they are actually costing you extra, according to home expert, Laura de Barra.<\/p>\n
The \u2018queen of She-IY\u2019 has teamed\u00a0 up with Energia to help people heat their homes efficiently this winter. <\/p>\n She told The Sun: \u201cUsed in the right way, these devices can be a handy way to prevent heat from being wasted in rooms which are not in use. <\/p>\n "But most people are using TRVs incorrectly which costs them more money in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n Poor understanding is part of the problem, according to Laura.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n She said: \u201cThe key to optimising their effectiveness lies in understanding that TRVs are not about the temperature of the radiator, but crucially, about the temperature of the room.\u201d<\/p>\n The DIY pro explains that with settings ranging from \u2018one\u2019 to \u2018five,\u2019 TRVs continually monitor the room temperature.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey then adjust the water flow through the radiator to maintain the selected temperature,\u201d she said. \u201cIn spaces you don\u2019t want to heat, the \u2018frost setting\u2019 is useful.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the home hack supremo, settings \u2018one\u2019 to \u2018three\u2019 \u2013 with temperatures ranging from around 10 to 20 degrees \u2013 are sufficient for most rooms.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laura said: \u201cWhat you\u2019ll find is that settings \u2018four\u2019 and \u2018five\u2019 \u2013 around 25 to 30 degrees \u2013 are rarely necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n Experts claim that using TRVs correctly could potentially half your bill.\u00a0<\/p>\n Under the current energy price cap, households face bills of \u00a31,834 a year. <\/p>\n So, based on this, if you use TRVs in the right way, you could easily save several hundreds of pounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n The price cap is due to increase to \u00a31,928 from January 1, a rise of \u00a394, on average, but the exact amount will depend on usage.<\/p>\n Laura added: \u201cUse your devices correctly and they will save you money \u2013 and lower your heating bill this winter.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to your radiators, there are other small changes you can make to help keep a lid on energy costs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laura said: \u201cIf your units feel cold at the top but warm at the bottom, it\u2019s likely they will need bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n To address this, you\u2019ll need a radiator key, along with a few towels or a bowl.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce you\u2019ve got these bits to hand, the task is simple,\u201d said the DIY whizz. <\/p>\n \u201cGently open the top valve \u2013 this is the small square peg in a round hole. <\/p>\n "Doing this allows the release of trapped air, enabling water to fill the radiator and restore efficient heating.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Also get into the habit of giving your radiators a clean. This will ensure heat is distributed more evenly around your home.<\/p>\n Laura added: \u201cSimple steps such as these should mean you won\u2019t need to turn up your thermostat \u2013 helping you to save money.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to heating your home efficiently, it\u2019s not just your radiators you need to think about.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cDraughty windows which let cold air in can pose a significant challenge,\u201d said Laura. <\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re looking for a quick and cost-effective fix, consider investing in thick curtains.\u201d<\/p>\n You can find thermal curtains at Dunelm starting from \u00a315.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laura adds: \u201cMake a habit of closing them at night. This is an effective way to keep heat within your home.\u201d<\/p>\n Another clever hack from the home expert involves shrinking plastic onto windows using a hairdryer.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will seal up tiny gaps and prevent leaks of cold winter air,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n \u201cThis offers a quick solution for the chilly discomfort often associated with draughty windows.\u201d<\/p>\n You can pick up packs of film from around \u00a34 on Amazon.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re at it, see if you can find fixes for other areas of your home prone to letting cold air in.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cInvest in draught excluders with added weight, and position these along the bottom of your door,\u201d said Laura. <\/p>\n \u201cNot only are they an affordable method of insulating your home, but they also come in different designs, adding a touch of whimsy to your space.\u201d<\/p>\n At The Range, for example, the Santa draught excluder is reduced from \u00a314.99 to \u00a312.99, while on eBay, there are lots of novelty dog and cat versions priced at less than a tenner. <\/p>\n At M&S, the Colin the Caterpillar version costs \u00a322.50.\u00a0<\/p>\n Equally, if you don\u2019t want to spend a penny, you could fashion your own draught excluder from an old pair of tights stuffed with rags.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another low-cost investment worth making this winter is a jacket for your hot water cylinder.\u00a0<\/p>\n On eBay, prices start from \u00a312.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/robert-dyas.jpg\")
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