Luckily, there are plenty of small and affordable ways to make rooms feel warmer without cranking the heating up. We’ve rounded up top tips on keeping homes warm without using excessive electricity and here’s our pick of the best ideas on how to keep heat in a home without turning up the heating.
Roll out the rugs …
Hard floors may look sleek and stylish but in the winter they can be cold underfoot and retain less heat than a carpet (experts estimate that carpet provides around 10 times more insulation than hard floor coverings).
Rugs are therefore a versatile way to keep your home cosier – providing the heat retaining benefits of a carpet without the expense and commitment. The beauty of rugs is that they can be used to add colour and design flair to any room. Runners can also be placed in rooms that you wouldn’t usually carpet, but can be chilly, such as hallways, kitchens and conservatories.
Dress your windows for the weather …
Windows are a major culprit for heat loss in UK homes. In fact, it is estimated that 30% of winter heating is lost through our windows – that could increase even further if your windows are older and not double glazed.
There are a number of ways that you can use window dressings to your advantage when trying to keep your home warm this winter.
If you are looking to invest in new blinds, consider choosing a product that has been designed with energy efficiency in mind such as Duette® blinds. The clever honeycomb construction traps pockets of air inside which acts as an extra insulating barrier at your window. This can reduce heat loss by a massive 50%.
Adding an extra layer to your existing blinds with full length curtains will also help to retain heat. By doubling up you are providing even more insulation stop heat escaping. Opting for a thermal lining when choosing blinds and curtains will also make a significant difference.
Rearrange your furniture …
It may sound simple but you would be surprised by how many people are reducing the impact of their central heating by having sofas and chairs pushed up against their radiator – blocking air circulation. Even moving your just sofa six inches away from your radiator will help to increase air flow, but if you can get away with a room re-design then now could be the time to do it. Arranging your furniture to allow air to flow freely around is the best way of helping to maximise the efficiency of your heating. Key items in the home to consider moving are beds, sofas and chairs, and cupboards.
If your full length curtains cover your radiator then adding window blinds with thermal properties could be a good idea. you will stop heat loss through the window and the radiator will allow warm air to flow into the room.
Do some DIY draft proofing …
If you have noticed drafts coming in to your house? There are some ways you can quickly and easily stop cold air in its track.
What was once perhaps an interior design feature of your grandparents house, rising energy bills have meant that draught excluders are back with a bang. For internal doors, a soft pillow style draft excluder will do the job perfectly. There are lots of great designs out there – or you could even make your own!
For any external doors that have a gap which is letting cold air in you can fit a brush strip draft excluder to the bottom of your door. Self-adhesive draft strips can also be applied around the edges of doors. A simple and cost effective DIY job that will make a big difference.
If your letterbox is letting in cold air, upgrade to something a bit more energy efficient with brushes that will prevent cold air coming in. Of course, having no letterbox at all is the best option – you could choose to install a wall mounted post box instead.
Keep doors closed ….
This may seem quite an obvious one but you’d be amazed how much difference this can make – and how many people don’t do it (ever tried to get kids to put the toilet seat down?!).
We love a clever idea we found on TikTok that shows how to make cute door signs to remind family members to close the door behind them! By closing off some rooms, that you don’t nee to use everyday, you can save money by turning off the radiators in these rooms.
Or if you’re settling into a lunge or living room for the evening, try closing the door and see how much warmer the room gets – you’ll be surprised.
We hope you’ve found these ideas useful. To find our more how blinds and curtains can help to heat heat in a home read our blog posts here – or book a design consultation with your local Apollo.