Cut Heating Costs and Warm Your Home With a Simple 3-Minute Hack

Rather than turning the heating up when the temperature drops, one money-conscious TikTok creator suggests a simple fix.

Cut heating costs and make your home feel warmer with a simple three-minute task(Image: pashapixel via Getty Images)

As colder weather sets in and temperatures continue to fall, it is clear that winter is drawing nearer. While a warm house is welcome once the heating is on, that comfort quickly comes with the unwelcome sight of higher energy bills.

For anyone already trying to save money by turning the thermostat down, there is another easy way to help stop valuable heat from escaping.

Frugal TikToker Leigh, who posts as @financiallyfreeleigh, has shared a three-minute method for keeping rooms warmer that she says is “so worth it”. Explaining why she recommends it, she said: “I've been doing this for the last three years; I will never go back. I don't feel the cold drafts anymore, and I save a bunch of money on my heating bill.”

To keep energy costs lower and avoid wasting heat, cover windows with thin plastic insulation sheets(Image: FotoDuets via Getty Images)

How to keep your home warmer for less

To reduce energy waste and keep bills down, Leigh advises covering windows with thin plastic insulation sheets. The idea is that the extra layer adds insulation around the glass.

She said the sheets “actually keep you warm by keeping the draught out and save you hundreds on your heating bill.”

Leigh added: “It takes like three minutes. So worth it. Who knew that a little bit of plastic can actually make such a difference. The windows in my apartment are so old, so they all have massive drafts.”

If your home already has decent insulation and well-made windows, window film can still provide an extra layer of thermal protection that may make the space feel noticeably more comfortable.

Can plastic window sheets really save money?

Applying window wrap to the inside of a window is a quick and simple way to cut heat loss.

Speaking to Better Homes & Gardens, Nick Barber, an energy expert and co-founder of prepaid electricity company Utilities Now, said: “Plastic window wrap can absolutely be effective if used correctly. It acts as a temporary barrier that slows heat transfer through single-pane windows.”

How the trick works

The sheets are fitted to windows to improve insulation and reduce heat transfer through the glass. When less heat escapes, the heating system does not have to work as hard, which can lower overall household energy use.

Nick explained that the plastic creates a layer of trapped air between the film and the glass. Like the gap in double glazing, this pocket of air helps keep warm air in and cold air out.

He noted: “It won't fix all the energy gaps in a room, but it will slow down heat loss through glass significantly.”

On possible savings, Nick said homeowners using plastic window insulation kits could cut heating costs by as much as five to 10 percent. He added that the exact amount depends on how many windows are covered, the size of the home and how airtight the rest of the building is.

How to install the plastic insulation sheets

Start with windows that are clean and completely dry. If there is any dirt, clean the glass thoroughly and wait until it dries.

Apply the double-sided tape that comes with most plastic window insulation kits around the inner edge of the window frame. If you are making your own version, use good-quality double-sided tape.

Press the plastic sheet firmly onto the tape so that it overlaps the window edges. Then use a hairdryer to warm and shrink the plastic until it becomes taut, which removes creases and helps seal it. Finish by taping down the edges to create an airtight fit.