The ‘flower pot heater’ trend could be dangerous (Image: Getty Images)
In the face of skyrocketing energy bills, households are desperately seeking ways to cut down their heating costs.
With social media brimming with quick fixes, Brits are being warned that not all online tips are safe or savvy.
Homemade heating hacks such as tinfoiling radiators or warming up with terracotta may seem ingenious, but can often be ineffective and in some cases even dangerous.
Fred Harrington, CEO and money saving expert, cautions against buying into the hype of so-called heating hacks.
“Many of these supposed hacks are based on flawed logic,” he said.
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The homemade heating hack could be a fire hazard (Image: Getty Images)
“Some are completely ineffective, while others can lead to safety hazards or expensive repairs.”
A trending hack on advocates for the use of terracotta pots as a budget-friendly heater, where lit candles underneath the inverted pot are said to heat a room and reduce bills.
Despite its online popularity, experts like Fred Harrington are warning that this could be risky business, reports .
“Terracotta pots are for plants, not makeshift heaters,” Harrington said, debunking the method as neither economical nor secure.
Although the candles might give off a bit of warmth to the pot, he claimed they’re no match for central heating.
“It’s not a budget-friendly solution when you consider the cumulative expense of candles versus the efficiency of properly managed central heating,” he added.
Terracotta pots are for plants, not makeshift heaters (Image: Getty Images)
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Safety is yet another major worry.
Harrington warned: “Even though terracotta is ceramic, prolonged exposure to intense heat can make it dangerously hot.”
Over time, the terracotta may become fragile, developing cracks or potentially shattering, thus posing a fire risk.
The risk is amplified with multiple flames flickering under a terracotta pot that could become unstable due to the heat, especially if children or pets are around.
Harrington suggested avoiding such hazardous fads and advises on safer, established methods like enhancing home insulation, utilising draft blockers, or using portable electric heaters selectively around the house for a safer, more efficient warm-up.
“Sometimes, the old-fashioned methods are best,” he concluded. “A little common sense goes a long way when it comes to staying warm and safe during winter.”
While the terracotta pot hack might seem clever, the potential dangers outweigh the benefits, leaving households better off sticking to tried-and-true heating solutions.