ARE you trying everything in your power to stay warm without having to turn the heating on?
Well, you’re not alone, with many homeowners desperately trying to find cheap and cheerful ways to keep warm as the temperature continues to drop.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, home heating expert and CEO at SpeedComfort, Wouter Heuterman, has revealed his top unusual tips to help Brits stay warm whilst keeping bills low this winter:
From DIY double glazing to the ‘sock’ hack that’ll stop draughts, here he reveals all…
DIY double glazing
Heuterman notes that if you have single-glazing and can’t replace it this winter, there are several inexpensive options to help insulate your windows.
“Window film is a great way to add an extra layer of thermal insulation to glass without drastically changing its appearance,” he says.
“Window foil can block out natural light, but is even more effective at warming up a space, helping to insulate the glass and reflect heat into the room.”
Shoppers can snap up the ‘Window Insulation Film Kit‘ from The Range for just £4.79.
The online product description reads: “Designed to keep draughts out and reduce condensation, this specially designed film is a simple yet effective solution for improving energy efficiency in your living spaces.”
Alternatively, Amazon are selling the ‘tesamoll Thermo Cover Window Insulating Film’ for £9.99.
The website explains how the product is a “valuable contribution to energy efficiency” and claims that insulating with this transparent window insulation “can save up to 8% energy used.”
Raid your sock drawer
The heating expert warns that if you have gaps underneath your doors, you’re letting precious heat escape and cold air seep in.
But according to Heuterman, there’s no need to splash out on expensive draught excluders.
“Try cutting an old pair of tights and stuffing them with socks, or even rice or lentils,” he suggests.
“This homemade draught stopper can even be a fun family craft project if you get your children involved to help decorate them!”
Change your curtains
Heuterman points out that windows are one of the top sources of heat loss.
So he suggests considering investing in thermal curtains which are “easy to install” and can make a “huge difference, especially on single-glazed windows.”
He continues: “They work by creating a ‘dead air’ space between the window and the rest of the room, keeping the cold out and the warmth in.”
Depending on what size you’re after, you can snap up thermal curtains for as little as £12.50 from The Range, such as the ‘Ensley Chenille Thermal Eyelet Curtains.’
It’s already proved to be a hugely popular product, racking up over 252 five-star reviews online.
“Really thick pair of curtains that help keep the heat in,” praised one happy customer, while a second penned: “Purchased two pairs of these for bedrooms. Love them. Keep the room warm. Definitely recommend.”
A third commented: “I had ordinary curtains up but what a difference these have made.”
Create a designated ‘warm room’
Most people spend the majority of their time at home in one room, whether that’s working in the kitchen or catching up on TV in the living room.
But the heating whizz suggests that a simple way to save money on heating bills is to focus all your efforts and energy on heating only the room you’re spending time in.
“If you’re opting for this method, be sure to keep the doors closed to prevent cold air from seeping in from the rest of the house and contain the heat you’ve generated in a smaller area,” he advises.
“It’s also important to stop the radiators from freezing in unused rooms.
“You can do this by adjusting the thermostat to the star position.”
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
Use a fan
Heuterman says: “Just like standing fans can help circulate cool air in the summer, radiator fans are designed to improve the circulation of warm air from your radiator in the winter.
“This means homes heat faster and more efficiently, saving energy and money.”
He goes on to explain that fans like SpeedComfort’s cost just 28p per year to run, based on 1,200 running hours.”
Leave your oven door open
And last but not least, the heating expert recommends leaving your oven door open the next time you’ve finished cooking.
“Hot ovens offer ready-made heat that would otherwise be wasted,” he explains.
“Plus, leaving the door open means the oven’s fan uses less energy when extracting the heat – a win-win!”
