Heating experts have shared the simple thing everyone ought to make sure they’re doing this winter in order to help slash energy bills.

As the cost of living crisis rages on, many people are worrying about heating their homes this winter, and with temperatures continuing to drop, staying warm without breaking the bank is a valid concern. Experts have weighed in with multiple tips and tricks to help keep the seasonal chill at bay and one “hack” is incredibly simple yet effective.

Experts at Shutterly Fabulous have found up to £362 can be saved on energy bills annually by ensuring curtains, blinds, or shutters are open during the day to allow sunlight to naturally warm your home, utilising the natural greenhouse effect.

With energy bills officially having increased in October 2024, and now with the latest announcement that bills will rise again by 1.2% from January 2025, sadly, the struggle to make ends meet shows no signs of easing.

Opening curtains, blinds, or shutters during the day allows sunlight to enter your home.

This sunlight carries energy in the form of heat, which is then absorbed by surfaces like floors, walls and furniture. These surfaces then gradually release the absorbed heat, warming up the room, very similar to the greenhouse effect – an ideal option given how costly it is to turn the heating on these days.

Allowing natural sunlight to warm your home during the day also reduces the need for heating over longer periods. This allows you to turn on the heating in the evenings and at night, saving on energy consumption bills.

The experts at Shutterly recommend closing your window dressings at night to retain the extra heat gained during the day, which adds an extra layer of insulation against the cold outside.

Sam Tamlyn, interior expert and managing director at Shutterly Fabulous said: “Investing in high-quality shutters, blackout blinds, and thermal blinds is a clever move for any homeowner looking to improve their energy efficiency and save where they can on their bills. “With winter well and truly here, it’s important to be mindful of saving on energy costs where possible, especially with rising prices. This hack is great because it helps you utilise what you’ve got and ensure that you’re saving money when and where possible.”

It seems this has been a long discussed topic, with a now-archived thread on Reddit discussing the benefits of keeping curtains and blinds open throughout the daytime. One commenter advised: “Open during the day, close at night. At least the ones that receive a good amount of light. For windows that don’t receive direct sunlight, don’t bother.”

Another said: “As others have said, open to let the light in, closed otherwise. Even heavy drapes won’t make much of a difference, though.” A third added: “Open your curtains to let direct sunlight in – free heat!”