Phil Spencer has been touring the country with Smart Energy GB, encouraging the people of Great Britain to help create a cleaner, greener, smarter Britain by getting a smart meter installed.

Now, as one of the undisputed experts when it comes to all things property, who better for us to ask, “how can we be smarter about keeping our home warm and cosy, whilst also ensuring we’re being as efficient and green as possible?”

Here are Phil Spencer and Smart Energy GB’s top tips to create a warm and cosy home, while avoiding wasting energy in your home and avoiding a shock bill:

Consider putting down rugs in rooms that aren’t carpeted. Not only does this insulate the room, but it also prevents noise from travelling – great for when you want a lie in or to watch a film in peace!
Curtains are a surprisingly good way to insulate your room. Make sure you remember to close curtains at night, to help prevent the warm inside air from escaping. On a single glazed window, this can save up to 20% of the heat normally lost^1.You can even clip a thicker fabric onto the back, to double them up while they are closed.
You can make your bed even cosier simply by choosing the right material for your sheets – swapping cotton for flannel can add some extra heat on those cold winter nights.
Or, if you fancy a bit of a room change that will make you a bit warmer, move your bed so that it isn’t against an exterior wall (even if you just leave a small gap between the bed and the wall).
Use a smart meter to monitor how much energy you’re using – because if you’re generally in control of what you’re spending on energy, then you can feel guilt-free when you turn the thermostat up a degree or two for a cosy night in.
If DIY is on the agenda and you’re repainting a room, consider using satin or semi-gloss paint on your walls as they reflect the heat better.

To see how these energy-saving hacks make a difference to your energy bills, ask your supplier for a smart meter. These handy devices, which cost you nothing extra to have installed, allow you to see how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence in real time.

This comes as a recent study has shown people who are most engaged with their smart meters can save up to 20% of their energy bill according to recent research which can amount to up to £200.