How to Keep Your House Warm in Winter – 9 Top Tips *

AD | Winter is here, and the temperatures have begun to drop – even plummet in some areas recently. With so many of us working from home nowadays, staying warm at home is a priority. Especially if we can’t, or don’t want to, have our central heating on all the time. But there are plenty of ways you can reduce heat loss and keep your house warm in winter, and the good news is that some of them won’t cost you a penny!

How Can I Keep My House Warm in Winter?

We all want to save money on heating bills, don’t we? So, energy efficiency is key in cold weather. It’s all about insulation and keeping the warm air in and the cold air out. Here are some easy tips to help you keep your house warm in winter, and enjoy those cosy nights in.

Open Your Curtains and Blinds When the Sun’s Out

Even though it may be freezing outside, if you leave your curtains and blinds open during the day, the sun will shine through the windows and warm up your rooms. Probably a lot more than you might think it would too.

Always Check Your Boiler and Get It Serviced

You’ll want to make sure your boiler is well serviced, preferably before the temperature starts to drop. If your boiler is old and has seen better days, it won’t be working as efficiently as before, and this can massively increase your heating bill. Why? Because it’ll have to work that much harder to warm up your home. Ideally, you should get your boiler serviced every 12 months to ensure it’s running both efficiently and safely.

Did you know? The ECO4 Grant provides funding for boiler upgrades, insulation and heating system replacements for eligible households. If your boiler is outdated, you might qualify for financial support to install a more efficient model, helping you save on energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint.

And if you find you need to replace your boiler, Factory Heaters offer a range of effective industrial heating systems, from leading trusted manufacturers such as Rinnai water heaters to energy efficient cost saving ATAG boilers and combi boilers. If you want your boiler serviced, or to upgrade to a more energy efficient heating system with a smart thermostat, contact them to discuss your options.

Rearrange your Furniture

As well as being a cost-efficient way of refreshing and switching up your living space, you might be surprised at how much heat sofas, beds, tables, etc in front of radiators can block in a room. Try positioning large pieces of furniture around the radiator instead, to avoid obstructing the heat flow and help keep your house warm in winter.

Block Up Your Chimney

A lot of households don’t tend to use their fireplaces to heat their rooms any more, they’re now purely a means of decoration. But there are some powerful draughts that can come down your chimney, making your room feel much colder. Investing in a high-quality chimney balloon or block to prevent draughts could save you over £200 a year in some cases, particularly if you live in an old house. Alternatively, if you don’t use your chimney at all, why not consider getting it capped by a professional.

Fit Floating Shelves Above the Radiators

Did you know that you can control the heat flow in a room by installing a floating shelf above your radiator? This is because a floating shelf stops the heat rising to the ceiling, where it’s not needed, and deflects it out and around the room instead. Floating shelves are extremely cheap to buy and quick to install – you can pick them up from most stores such as IKEA, Homebase, or B&M, for example.

Insulate Your Loft or Attic

This can make a HUGE difference! If your loft or attic isn’t insulated, you could end up losing up to a quarter of heat within your home. Heat rises, so insulating your loft or attic is probably the best way to reduce any heat loss and save you money on your heating bills as well. Plus, once you install the insulation, it should last you up to 40 years or more.

Bleed Your Radiators

With their low cost and minimal maintenance requirements, radiators are an excellent choice for every budget-conscious homeowner who wants to keep their comfort levels in check, according to North East Heating Solutions, electric radiator installers.

And an easy way to check your radiators to see if they’re warming up properly is to feel the bottom. If it’s lukewarm or even worse cold, then it’s time to bleed your radiators. They’re not heating up properly because they have air trapped inside them and releasing this air with a radiator key will solve this issue. Tip: get a bowl and towel to catch any drips first.

Use Rugs and/or Carpets to Keep Your Floors Warm

Take some interior design tips from the Scandinavians. Rugs and carpets will not only keep your floors (and feet) warm, but they’ll also help give your home more character. Particularly useful if you’re into the cosy hygge vibes this winter.

Close the Doors

“Were you born in a barn?” My mother used to say it to me, and now I say it to Flora. Seriously though, keeping your doors shut is probably the easiest way to keep your house warm in winter. And use a draught excluder for any doors with gaps underneath them as well. Draught excluders can be made from old tights stuffed with all those odd socks that you’ve got lurking at the back of your drawer. Quick to do and free – make one today!

So, there we are, 9 top tips for how to keep heat in the house. We all know how much of a pain it can be to try and find ways to keep our homes warm in cold weather. What do you think of these suggestions? Do you have any other tried and tested ways you favour to help keep your house warm in winter?

* This is a sponsored post.