As the weather cools, many Britons will be searching for ways to save money on their energy bills.
While there are many viral hacks for saving money on energy bills on social media, particularly TikTok, experts are warning that some of these tips could cause major issues.
With temperatures starting to dip, Jess Steele, a heating technology expert at online heating specialists BestHeating, has warned homeowners against trying six social media hacks people are following to keep warm, explaining the safety issues as well as why they won’t reduce bills.
1. Terracotta pots
One massively popular TikTok trend which appeared last winter, was using a terracotta pot to warm up a room.
The hack involved putting the brick upside down on top of three lit candles to warm a room quickly and cheaply.
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However, Jess warned there are many risks around this hack. She explained: “There are various reasons we shouldn’t do this, including the possibility that the terracotta pot will explode or shatter, leading to burns.
“The melted wax underneath the pot can also cause a fire, and there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning due to the lack of ventilation to the candles.”
2. Brick heating hack
Another TikTok hack is using a house brick placed inside a heated oven to keep a property warm.
Jess said: “There is a high chance that the brick could explode due to the extreme heat and put your life at risk.
“The brick may also catch fire, and even if it doesn’t will be stuck in the oven as it is too hot to touch for a long period of time.”
3. DIY radiator covers
Some influencers have shared their own DIY radiator covers on social media. While these may be pretty, they can be detrimental to energy bills.
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Jess replied: “The covers block heat from entering the room, reducing the radiator’s efficiency. It will also confuse the thermostat and cause havoc with thermostatic radiator valves as the temperature of the room can’t be detected.”
4. Camping stoves and barbecues
Last winter, a viral social media trend saw Britons using camping stoves and barbecues indoors to save money cooking. These also provided a source of warmth inside people’s homes.
However, there was also a spike in reports of fire brigades across the country putting fires out. Jess said: “This is extremely dangerous as it raises the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as well as the potential to burn the property down. Leave this type of equipment for outside cooking.”
5. Scented sponge radiators
Some influencers have been dipping small sponges into water and fabric softener before placing them below the top cover of a convector radiator to circulate a pleasant smell around your home.
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Jess added: “Wet or damp materials this close to a radiator will create excess moisture and condensation, which is likely to lead to patches of dampness and mould, costing lots of money to fix.”
The heating expert said people should “think twice” before trying viral heating hacks as they could “put your life at risk”.
She continued: “Some may seem like clever money-saving ideas but will put your life at risk and lead to serious fires that ruin your livelihood.
“There are much safer ways to increase the warmth of a property without breaking the bank, from cheap additions like draught excluders to only heating the room you are using.”
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