How to Keep Warm This Winter... While Reducing Heating Costs

Winter is around the corner but here are a number of simple, effective heating saving strategies to make sure that your home stays warm without incurring a lot of costs.

1. Utilise the Abundant Energy from the Sun

The power of the sun is free and comes in handy on the coldest of winter days. Even though it seems to be freezing cold outside, the sun never ceases to provide some energy.

• Leave curtains open during the day: Allow the daylight to come through the windows. Best of all is allowing the sunlight to enter from the south-facing rooms as they receive the maximum sunlight exposure. This passive heating can be used to heat space naturally

• Draw curtains at night: The sun might set but temperatures are going to drop even more. If there is no room radiator, closing curtains or blinds making sure to minimise the convection heat losses – will keep the atmosphere warm and conserve the provided heat inside the house

Investing in thermal or heavy curtains is a great long-term solution to keep heat from escaping through windows. If buying new curtains isn’t affordable, try hanging extra blankets or thicker materials temporarily to create a similar insulating effect.

2. Heating with a Programmable Thermostat

Most homes now are equipped with a programmable wireless thermostat or smart thermostat. These allow you to set the temperature of your home depending on whether you are present in it or asleep.

• At night, set the thermostat to the lowest possible temperature: Setting the temperature a few degrees lower while sleeping can be a saving grace when it comes to bills without affecting comfort. Alternatively, consider changing to a wireless thermostat which will help you automatically set the desired temperature levels.

• Heat the rooms in use only: Never use energy to heat empty rooms. For example, don’t even ventilate or switch radiators in rooms that are rarely used such as guest bedrooms, storage rooms, or other such areas when one is away from those spaces.

3. Stop Drafts and Seal Leaks

Drafts are a significant source of heat loss, making it harder to keep your home warm and driving up heating costs. Thankfully, preventing drafts is a low-cost solution that can make a big difference

• Seal windows and doors: Use inexpensive draft excluders, weather stripping, or DIY solutions like rolled-up towels or blankets at the base of doors and windows. Applying caulking around window frames and gaps can also prevent cold air from sneaking in

• Cover unused keyholes and letterboxes: Cold air can seep in through overlooked gaps like keyholes, chimneys, and letterboxes. Cheap covers or brushes for these areas will help reduce the chill

If an individual cannot afford a smart thermostat, simply adjusting the temperature will significantly impact cost reduction for those using the smart thermostats.

4. Get Cosy with Warm Clothing and Bedding

Instead of turning up the heat, embrace the cold-weather mindset by layering up indoors, especially as the elderly often feel the cold more due to changes in circulation and reduced body fat, making warmth through extra layers essential for comfort.

• Dress in warm layers: Thermal tops, thick socks, and warm sweaters are excellent for retaining body heat.

• Use blankets and heated bedding: Invest in inexpensive blankets or throws that you can keep on sofas or beds. Electric blankets or heated mattress pads are especially efficient, providing targeted warmth while using very little energy compared to central heating.

5. Cook More at Home

Winter is the perfect time to embrace home cooking, as using your stove or oven not only warms your kitchen but can also help heat adjacent rooms.

• Bake or roast meals: After using the oven, leave the door open (once it’s off) to let the residual heat fill the kitchen.

• Boil water on the stove: Boiling water releases steam, which increases humidity and makes your home feel warmer. Consider simmering soups, teas, or mulled drinks throughout the day to keep things cosy.

6. Investigate Grant Options

Heating a house can be unbearable at times. In such cases, a person might be eligible for some government schemes or grants to support energy costs.

• Energy efficiency grants: You may be eligible for energy efficiency grants. Contact your local energy provider and/or authorities to find out more.

• Winter fuel payments, Cold weather payments: The government extends help to some groups such as pensioners or benefit recipients during certain harsh winter periods.

Given the outrageously high living costs we are currently facing, people are often forced to explore different methods of staying warm during winter but at the same time are conscious of their spends. Those having problems with energy bills should not delay seeking advice or schemes available in their local community which can help them extend energy savings beyond their energy costs.