10 brilliant ways to warm up without switching the heating on

Virgin Radio

10 Nov 2021, 17:29

Winter is coming and if you're the sort of person who delays putting touching the thermostat until the very last minute, here are some tips for you.

Energy prices are going up so many families are looking to cut back where they can.

An expert has shared the best tips to warm up the house without boosting the heating.

Michael Reading at Housetastic swears by these methods to keep you toasty this winter without any eye-watering bills.

Rearrange the furniture

Remember when feng shui was all the rage thanks to Changing Rooms? It turns out that rearranging your furniture can actually help you to stay warm.

"Any furniture which covers radiators will prevent heat from travelling around the room. Even just a partial blocking will limit the amount of heat emitted," says Michael.

It's best to move furniture away from external walls too, he says: "You will notice the colder air more if you are sat against an external wall, so try and keep furniture against internal walls. You will feel more comfortable and less obliged to turn the heating on."

Try a terracotta heater

As well as looking pretty, terracotta heaters are a good way to stay warm without using any energy.

it heats up slowly and holds onto that heat well, meaning up to three terracotta pots can be powered by just one candle. 

"A terracotta heater can be a great DIY alternative to turning the heating on, as all you need are a few clay pots and candles," Michael adds.

Put a shelf above the radiator

Handy with a hammer? Try hanging a shelf above a radiator, as it helps to distribute the radiator's heat more evenly.

Michael explains: "By hanging a shelf just above a radiator, the shelf acts almost like a shield, helping to shift heat outwards from the radiator, rather than letting the heat rise up to the ceiling".

Be more mindful

It can be easy to get into the habit of always turning the heating up, but it can save quite a bit if you stop and think whether it's necessary.

Michael advises: "If possible, try and see whether or not you really need to turn the heating on, especially when it's earlier in the autumn months".

"It is estimated that turning the thermostat down by just one degree can save up to 10 per cent on a fuel bill, not to mention the amount of energy."

Insulate

Michael says it can be pricey to start with but worth it in the long run: "Insulating walls is a key part of having a thermal-efficient, and therefore more eco-friendly home, as heat is retained inside."

"While the average budget for renovating a full house can be up to £7,000, the savings that come from doing this are worthwhile."

Bleed your radiators

"When radiators have cold spots present, this is a sign that there is air trapped inside them," Michael explains. "This trapped air stops the warm water from properly circulating your radiator and results in taking longer to heat up your room."

Check for draughts

Especially in an older property, draughts can be problematic.

"Assess all of your windows and doors and see whether there are gaps in the frame which allow draughts to move freely. If there are significant draughts which can’t be easily covered, then it would be worth investing in stronger doors with at least double glazing," Michael advises.

Michael says: "If your budget doesn't permit replacing doors and windows, or if you are renting and aren't allowed to make substantial changes, then invest in draught stoppers which can be used to cover up holes in frameworks. This, however, is not a long-term solution."

Block up your chimney

The main culprit for draughts? Chimneys.

"Blocking a chimney can be the only viable option in these circumstances, however, you must be careful to do this properly," Michael warns.

"Never seal off the top of the chimney, especially if you do use your fireplace, as this will seal the heat inside the chimney and can cause extreme overheating."

Add rugs

As well as looking stylish, rugs can help to keep you warm, as uninsulated floors can account for up to 10 per cent of heat loss.

"If you have wooden flooring, with considerable gaps between the planks, then thick rugs can prevent the warm air from escaping," Michael says.

'Whether you go for something simple and stylish or a bold print Instagram will love, your toes will thank you.

Curtains

Michael advised: "Curtains aid in heat retention, working to restrict the flow of air between the warmth of your home to the cold outside".

"Heavier curtains will act as a barrier, preventing air from flowing from the window."