WINTER is here, and so is the challenge of staying warm without sending your heating bills through the roof.
Let’s be real – nobody wants to shiver their way through cold evenings under a mountain of blankets.
Luckily, one savvy homeowner has come up with a budget-friendly solution that’ll warm your living room without cranking up the thermostat.
Taking to TikTok, the account ‘wac.rocks’ shared a brilliant hack they call the terracotta room heater, proving you don’t need to break the bank to stay cozy.
Known for their clever “Whack Hacks,” the account walked followers through the easy process.
Start with three Aldi Hotel Collection candles, which cost just £3.49 each.
Another tip is that any affordable, smaller candles that fit your setup will do the job.
Grab a terracotta pot – often lying unused in yours or a friend’s garden – or pick one up for next to nothing. Clean it up if necessary.
Light the candles and place the terracotta pot on top.
“It’s that simple,” they explained. “You’ll feel the pot warm up, and it’ll slowly start to heat the room.”
Experts say that a Terracotta pot is fantastic at absorbing heat and radiating it evenly.
As the candles burn, they generate heat, which the terracotta pot traps and releases into the surrounding air.
It’s a low-cost, energy-efficient way to warm small spaces – and a clever solution for keeping your heating bills down.
While the terracotta room heater hack is a clever and budget-friendly solution, there are important safety considerations and potential drawbacks to keep in mind.
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
1. Draught-proof your home
It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder.
2. Dial down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year!
3. Move furniture around
Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators.
4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin
Unless it’s bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person not the home
There’s not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.
First, there’s the risk of fire, as candles are an open flame and can easily cause accidents if left unattended.
The setup can become unstable if the pot isn’t properly secured or placed on a sturdy, heat-resistant surface.
It’s crucial to extinguish the candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.
Additionally, burning candles in a poorly ventilated space can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide, a dangerous and potentially lethal gas.
To avoid this, always ensure the room is well-ventilated when using this method.
Sudden temperature changes might also cause the pot to crack, which could create a safety hazard.
More winter laundry tips
Tackling laundry in the winter can be a challenge, but these handy tips can help you stay on top of it:
- Use a Dehumidifier: Place a dehumidifier in your drying area to speed up the drying process and prevent dampness.
- Spin Cycle Boost: Run an extra spin cycle on your washing machine to remove excess water from clothes, reducing drying time.
- Indoor Drying Rack: Invest in a good-quality indoor drying rack and position it near a radiator or in a well-ventilated room.
- Tumble Dryer Balls: Add tumble dryer balls to your dryer to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling.
- Space-Saving Hangers: Use space-saving hangers or a retractable washing line to maximise indoor drying space.
- Microfibre Towels: Lay microfibre towels over your drying rack to absorb extra moisture from hanging clothes.
- Partially Dry Outside: On dry days, hang clothes outside for a short period before bringing them in to finish drying.
These hacks can help you keep your laundry routine efficient and your clothes fresh, even during the colder months.
