Window blinds hit 2 second mistake 'lets all heat escape'

Window blinds hit 2 second mistake 'lets all heat escape' University professor explained on BBC Morning Live that having the blind blades the wrong way round makes huge heat difference As the colder weather draws in, homeowners are trying to think of ways to make their homes warmer - without spending extra money. The latest forecast from analysts Cornwall Insight on Wednesday warned annual household energy bills could soar by 16% in January – the largest rise for four years. Experts at Cornwall Insight predicted the average dual-fuel energy bill will rise by 16% to £1,999 a year on January 1, up by £276 from the level between October and December and the biggest rise since January 2023. Storage levels of EU gas are now at their lowest September level for 15 years, Cornwall Insight said. The stark warning comes ahead of the October 1 rise in Ofgem’s energy price cap, which will see bills jump 4%. Cornwall said the increase is driven by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted gas supplies to the UK and worldwide as the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route has been effectively closed since the Iran war began in February. Appearing on BBC Morning Live, personal finanace expert Iona Bain visited a specially built energy house at the University of Salford to discover ways of heating the home cheaply. And one tip showed the surprising huge difference it makes for Venetian blinds and spending 2 seconds closing them the right way. She said: “Next up, a free money saver for anyone with Venetian blinds. How you close them can make all the difference.” Richard Fitton professor University Salford explained: “There’s a couple ways you can close. You can close it pointing up or you can cause it pointing down. And there is a specific way that performs better. “So, what we have to look at is the fact that there’s a radiator directly under us. Now, that’s very typical. So, if we close them this way, then we can think that the heat might be rising and going in this way. and being forced up against the window. “Whereas if we close them this way, You have the opposite effect.” Ms Bain explained: “That’s right. Rising heat will be pushed through the blind and towards the cold window. If you close the blinds the wrong way, but closed the right way, the blinds will deflect heat back into the room. How much of a difference does that make?” Prof Fitton replied: “So, the difference between them being open that way (up) and open this way (down) is about 25% difference in terms of the heat going through that window. The interesting fact is if you open it the wrong way or close it the wrong way, then it’s even worse than having the blind not there at all.” Iona added: “Wow. So, it makes a really big difference.” Viewers were impressed - one said: "That is a common sense. The same it is with the light exposure. I do it all the time." Another added archly: "Best invention ever. Without them, would be curtains for everyone."