Britons across the country are steeling themselves for a sharp rise in energy bills this winter, following an approximately 10% hike in Ofgem's price cap from October 1. Consequently, average households using both electricity and gas could see their annual bills skyrocket to a staggering £1,717, particularly if they're paying via Direct Debit.

Despite this intimidating figure, there are several measures you can take to soften the impact. Joshua Houston, Insulation Expert at GreenMatch, suggests that purchasing just one transformative item for a mere £30 could make all the difference.

"Staying warm during the colder months is on a lot of people's minds at the moment," he said. " With the soaring cost of heating in the past few years, many have had to think outside the box in order to reduce their outgoings and keep warm."

The £30 item Houston refers to is loose-fill insulation - typically composed of fibreglass, mineral wool and cellulose. The latter is often made from recycled materials like cardboard, office paper and even newspapers.

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Houston asserts that stuffing this into chilly areas such as the attic or even under the floorboards can significantly improve your home's temperature. As it turns out, research by the firm suggests that 'proper insulation can reduce heating and cooling energy needs by up to 50%'.

His advice added: "It’s easy to place in the smaller areas of a loft and does a good job of keeping the cold out of your home, as well as the heat in." Aside from this, the expert also said it's worth thinking about thicker curtains to make your home cosier in the colder months.

While it may sound obvious, poorly insulated windows are notorious for letting heat escape, according to Houston. "Close your curtains particularly at night, as this is when it will be the most cold," his advice went on.

"It’s a simple way for you to provide yourself with that extra layer of warmth, as it can create a sort of insulation between your window and curtain. If you have the spare funds, consider investing in heavy curtains as these will do an even better job at keeping that unwanted cold away, and will be much cheaper than other alternatives."