5 Ways to Keep Your House Warmer in the Winter

It can be expensive to keep your house warm in the winter as we’re tempted to blast every heater to keep the cold away. However, there are a few simple things that you can do to keep cosy for less.

Why is my house so cold, even with the heating on?

If you have a conventional heating method, such as a radiator, it might not be working effectively enough to heat up your home. Conventional radiators work by heating up the air closest to them first, making rooms prone to cold spots, and they also need to reach a high temperature (around 65 -75 degrees celsius) to effectively heat up a room, which can cause the environment to become stuffy and uncomfortable.

Above, Ledbury Charcoal Black Pattern Tiles

Underfloor heating is a great alternative to conventional radiators, as it requires a much lower temperature to heat up a room (29 degrees celsius or below) and covers a larger surface area, making for a more comfortable environment with no cold spots.

Here are some cost-effective ways that you can keep your home warmer for less:

1. Close the curtains

Above, Dunelm, Highland Check Ochre Eyelet Curtains

Thermal curtains

Thermal curtains will create a dead-air space between the window and the room, which reduces the amount of air infiltration and the transfer of heat. The insulating materials of the curtains are rated by R-values – the higher the R-value, the better insulation they’ll have.

During the winter, keep them open during the day and close them at night in order to trap as much sunlight as possible into the room.

During the summer, close the curtains on windows that receive a lot of sunshine, or during the hottest times of day, keeping the cooler air inside.

Above (from left to right): Hillarys, Dunelm, Julian Charles, Curtainsdirect2u.co.uk

2. Invest in underfloor heating

Electric underfloor heating is the simple and most efficient way to heat your home. Suitable in any room and under any floor finish (plus with the added benefit of not needing a radiator) it will heat your room from the ground up, eliminating cold spots to provide a more comfortable living space for everyone.

Above, Yuri™ Basalt 90% Recycled Tiles

Both the initial installation cost and the ongoing running expenses of underfloor heating can represent great value for money, and compared to conventional methods like radiators, it can even help you save on your bills over time. The use of installation boards can also help reduce the cost of electric underfloor heating, as less heat is lost through the substrate when they are used together. Thermosphere Uncoated Boards are 100% moisture and rot-resistant, with high thermal insulation properties to boost the efficiency of underfloor heating.

3. Use rugs to cover the floor to prevent cold feet

Often used as a design element, rugs can add colour and style to a room, helping to unify the space. Rugs add a layer of insulation to the floor, trapping cool air underneath, keeping t from seeping up and cooling the room.

Above, Burghal Steel Stone Effect Tiles

A rug will also help to keep your feet warm, especially on tiled floors! Check out a couple of our favourite picks:

Above (from left to right): MADE.com, Cultfurniture.com, Next, Wayfair.com

4. Install a programmable thermostat

Offering an alternative to keeping the heating on high all the time, these clever thermostats can be used to program when you would like your heat to be on and off, helping to keep your house warm when you want it and saving on your energy bills.

These wireless control thermostats for our underfloor heating are a great solution, as they allow you to set presets for quick and easy control. With a built-in ambient temperature sensor and external floor sensor, it manually boosts temperature when needed until the next scheduled heating event. Use the simple manual thermostat dial to set and change your comfort temperature and your energy-saving eco temperature.

1. Thermosphere Wireless Control White
2. FIXX™ Heat Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat
3. Thermosphere Wireless Hub
4. Thermosphere Wireless Control Black

5. Use draught stoppers under the doors

“Draught proofing your windows and doors could save you up to £20 in energy a year, as well as making your home more comfortable to live in. Plus, you might find you’re able to keep your thermostat a little lower once you’ve draught proofed your space. Turning down the thermostat by just one degree in a typical home could save you between £85 and £90 a year.”
– Which?

Above, Snow White Gloss 600x600mm Tiles

Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy. Draughts from outside can come into your home through gaps around doors, letterboxes and even keyholes. Getting it done professionally can be expensive, but there are cheaper ways to do it, such as using a draught excluder.