Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Lidl, Asda shoppers urged to stock up on tin foil

Adding 1 supermarket item to your home will 'retain heat' without increasing energy bills, it has been advised. In the wake of Christmas, as the UK grapples with rising energy bills, experts at The Underfloor Heating Store say tin foil can help.

The experts said in a message to Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Lidl, Asda customers: “Covering the back of your radiators with tin foil is a cheap way to help retain heat in your home. The foil acts as a reflector and reflects heat back into the room to prevent it escaping through any external walls.

“To do this, simply cut the foil a bit smaller than the full size of your radiator and use tape to secure it onto the back of the radiator.” The experts continued: “Original flooring has been a popular trend this year with many homeowners opting to use the original floorboards within their room for a rustic finish.

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“Nevertheless, it can lack insulation and increase air flor, making the room feel colder. However, one way to help retain heat within your floors is to use floor sealant to fill any cracks and gaps. Floor sealant can be purchased for around £5 and works as a draft-proofer for rooms and can be used on original flooring, laminate or tiles.”

The experts said: “Allowing natural light into your home will aid in keeping your house warmer throughout the day, whilst closing them in the evening will help retail the heat when the nights draw cooler. Furthermore, curtains in heavy fabrics such as suede, velvet and cotton are great for trapping heat whilst floor-length curtains help with added insulation and keep drafts from entering the room.”

Placing tin foil behind radiators can help save on heating bills by reflecting heat back into the room. However, kitchen foil is not ideal because it can degrade and crinkle over time, making it less effective at reflecting heat. Instead, you can use specialized radiator reflectors that are more durable and effective.