UK energy bills are soaring – but there are easy ways to cut costs

theguardian.com:

Energy bills rose in April, and this week there have been more warnings of what could be on the cards later in the year: on Monday the head of Scottish Power said the price cap could go up by £1,000, to just under £3,000 a year.

For any household, that represents a huge sum and many are looking at measures that will cut their costs. Research by the Mortgage Advice Bureau found that one in six households intend to get new windows (double or triple glazing), one in seven will be getting more energy efficient fittings and 11% intend to install solar panels.

These energy saving fixes are expensive. But there are plenty of small improvements that can be made to homes that will cut your heating bills.

Spring is the perfect time to repair and upgrade your home. Warmer weather means sealants will dry quicker, and there are longer days in which to complete tasks.

Here’s a guide to some of the most popular DIY measures and improvements that can be easily – and safely – made without expert assistance.

Radiator reflector foil reduces heat loss by reflecting warmth back into the room. While you can use ordinary kitchen foil, a 1.2 metre roll of radiator reflector foil is only £1.49 from Toolstation, as part of the store’s clearance sale.

It’s very easy to install, too. You just need to measure the distance between the radiator brackets, cut your foil down to fit between them and then slide it into place – making sure that the reflective side faces outwards. You can hold it in place using PVA glue or double-sided sticky tape.

Another consideration is the type of paint used on the radiator. Daniel Nezhad, a director of the retailer UK Radiators, says painting your radiator can affect its heat output. He says: “The main relationship between