WITH the colder evenings fast approaching, it won’t be long until we’re all searching for cost-effective ways to stay warm without having to turn the heating on.
But luckily, Lisa Davis, Product Advisor at Opera Beds, has done the hard work for us by sharing five cost-effective tips to keep your home warm this winter.
And perhaps the best part of all? While some of her top tips are totally free, others will keep you feeling cosy and toasty all night for as little as 20p.
From the exact location to position your bed to the must-have gadget that will keep you warm, not to mention a savvy shower curtain hack that’ll exclude those pesky draughts, she reveals all to Fabulous…
1. Rearrange Your Furniture
First up, Lisa notes that repositioning your furniture can help when it comes to keep warm in your own home.
“Positioning your bed on interior walls is generally best, as these walls are less prone to temperature fluctuations and allow consistent warmth throughout the night,” she advises.
The product advisor goes on to say that you should also place the bed away from windows – adding that even the most insulated windows can lose heat and let in cold drafts.
She continues: “Avoid blocking radiators with furniture, which can limit their efficiency, and consider putting a rug on hard floors to add insulation and reduce heat loss.”
2. Block Out Draughts
Lisa recommends making sure you seal all draughts from windows and doors using weather stripping and window film.
While there are plenty of options on the market, the ‘tesamoll Thermo Cover Window Insulating Film’ from Amazon, costs as little as £9.99.
Sharing her advice on how to detect any draughts in your home, she says: “You can feel for air movement around doors, windows, floorboards, beams, skirting boards, and air conditioning units.
If you’re on a budget, try using a shower curtain behind regular curtains as an extra layer
“You can also use the easy trick of holding a lit match near potential leaks to see if it flickers.”
The expert goes on to suggest keeping doors to unused rooms closed to concentrate warmth where you need it most, and says to use a draught excluder to block chilly air from under doors.
3. Keep Curtains Closed
When it comes to retaining warmth, Lisa says that keeping curtains closed is key.
She goes on to recommend investing in curtains with thermal lining as they help to insulate against cold air from windows.
But with so many different materials to choose from, how do you know which is best?
Lisa explains: “The best curtain materials for retaining warmth are thick, heavy fabrics like wool, velvet or fleece.
“If you’re on a budget, try using a shower curtain behind regular curtains as an extra layer.”
Shower curtains can be bought for as little as £4, such as the ‘Seersucker Shower Curtain’ from Dunelm, and could save you a small fortune on your energy bill in the long-run.
4. Layer Up Your Bedding
Lisa recommends switching to flannel or brushed cotton sheets in the colder months, as she says they “feel warmer and help retain body heat.”
But let’s face it, feeling too hot or too cold can leave you tossing and turning all night.
So if you’re after a good night sleep, Lisa has shared her top tip…
“Add multiple layers like a duvet, throw blankets, or even a weighted blanket, making it easy to adjust your warmth through the night,” she explains.
She also goes on to point out that investing in a good-quality winter duvet with a high tog, between 10.5 and 13.5, is best.
“Opt for insulating materials like wool or fleece for better heat retention, and consider a mattress topper for added warmth; memory foam or wool are great options,” the pro ads.
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.
5. Use an Electric Blanket
Lisa explains: “We recently found that running an electric blanket costs just 20p a night at 2.5p an hour on average, which is 60 times cheaper than central heating.
“So, an electric blanket is a great option to heat your bed and keep it consistently warm through the night.”
She goes on to say that it may also be helpful to set this with a timer, which is a feature that some electric blankets offer, or suggests smart or timer plugs as an effective alternative.
“You can set the blanket to come on as you fall asleep and again when you wake up to optimise your comfort,” Lisa concludes.
