Mum’s ‘penny-pinching’ heating hack to warm up ‘really cold’ rooms

Good household insulation is crucial to maximising energy efficiency in your home, particularly around draughty windows and doors. While all curtains provide some level of protection against heat loss, thermal linings and thick materials are the most effective, though also the most expensive. A mum has shared her simple hack to recreate costly curtain styles for “around a tenner”.The mum explained that mimicking the effects of fleece, or thermal-lined curtains is as easy as layering up different styles.In a post on the Money Saving Expert forum, the user, paddy’s_mum wrote: “If your room is really cold, you might like to consider double curtaining, whereby you fix an inner track or pole to your window upon which you hang, and tuck out of sight, thick non-fashionable curtains, leaving your posh or expensive ones still on show.”She noted that while many people are only just thinking of ways to line their curtains for winter, the hack is something she has done “routinely” over the years.However, while the easy tip does work, the forum user revealed that many people have branded it “bizarre”.READ MORE: Most ‘cost-effective’ kitchen appliance to use – it’s not an air fryer Mum’s ‘penny-pinching’ curtain hack to warm up the house ‘for no extra heat’ (Image: GETTY) Sheer curtains can be used as a base though they are less effective (Image: Getty)Buying the tools for the second curtain layer is incredibly cheap, as you don’t need to worry about the appearance of the material.The savvy mum said: “When you can buy a track for around a tenner or even less from a charity shop, as well as out-of-date but sound curtains, and when you realise that in winter, it can make a 20-degree difference within the room for no extra heating but much more comfort, suddenly it’s not as daft as it sounds.”Despite her “penny-pinching” efforts, paddy’s_mum noted that her adult daughters are embarrassed by the life hack.But now energy bills have crept up, they have deemed the trick “miraculous”, realising it is more common sense than their mum being strict on spending.DON’T MISS:Fill bath with cold water to ‘significantly reduce’ condensation [TIPS]Homeowner ‘confused’ by neighbours’ anger over her lack of heating use [REVEAL]Gardener warns against using ‘old’ treated wood for raised plant beds [INSIGHT] Double-layer curtains are much cheaper than getting brand new thermal drapes (Image: Getty) Curtains can be hung on a track and a rod, or a double rod (Image: Getty)Crushed or full velvet curtains are excellent choices to provide instant warmth to the room.Suede curtains are also heavy and insulating – perfect for trapping heat indoors while blocking light and noise.Polyester styles are much more affordable while still being durable and long-lasting.Almost any combination of drapes will improve heat retention, though you should avoid thin linen and mesh styles that are less effective as a base layer.