Households urged to avoid curtain mistake when running heating

Households across the UK are being urged to avoid making a common curtain mistake when running the heating in the colder months. Cooler temperatures are already starting to set in now that autumn has arrived and as we head towards winter, conditions will only get colder.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, most people start heating their home once temperatures drop to 15C and below, which usually occurs around October, but cold snaps can mean this happens a little sooner. It's recommended that your thermostat is set between 18C and 21C so your heating shouldn't come on until it needs to, and with October fast approaching, it could be switching on very soon. Heating your home can be an expensive business so experts recommend avoiding a common curtain mistake that could be costing you money.

According to experts, you should avoid draping curtains in front of radiators when running the heating as this restricts airflow and blocks the warm air from circulating into the room.

Experts at Best Heating said: "Just like a radiator cover or large piece of furniture, curtains over radiators do block heat from entering the room efficiently. The reason for this can be explained by how radiators actually heat the room. The process is called convection.

"When the heating is on, the warm air from the top of the radiator rises and heats up the cooler air above. The hot air moves up to the ceiling because it is lighter than cool air. Just like how a hot air balloon works!

"As the hot air cools again, it sinks and moves around the room in a convection current. This allows the radiator to heat up the whole space by distributing heat evenly.

"Now you can picture the circular motion of hot air particles, it is easy to see how long curtains over radiators would block heat and prevent the warm air from moving around the room efficiently.

"Instead, most of the heat could escape out of the window and waste energy and increase cost. Not ideal considering how expensive heating is with the current cost of living."

To avoid this problem, it's advised that your curtains sit between 2-4cm above a radiator, rather than in front of it, to allow for maximum heat flow and if you already have longer or floor-length curtains, these should be kept open when the heating is on to avoid blocking the warm air.

Additionally, it's recommended that your curtains and blinds are left open during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, before closing them at night to trap the heat inside.