As the winter months get closer, many are starting to think about how they’re going to keep themselves warm. The heating takes up a huge chunk of our bills and yet, despite this, it’s impossible not to reach for the thermostat when the temperatures dip below the double digits.
With the rising cost of living and darker nights approaching, other alternatives are needed to stay warm.
Read some of our tips to help you get through the winter months without making a huge dent in your wallet. From getting the most out of our radiators, to keeping toasty without even having to turn the heating on, find out what you can do below.
1. Free Cavity Wall Insulation
In the UK, you can apply for free cavity wall insulation if your house doesn’t have proper insulation.
Almost 35% of the heat in our houses is lost through the walls. And without insulation, the heat has an easier time escaping, leaving your house colder than it should be. This is an effective way to reduce your energy bills over the colder seasons, especially with the rise in living costs.
You may be eligible for free cavity wall installation if you or anyone in your house receives certain benefits. Take a look into getting this done if your house is uninsulated. It could save you hundreds on your bill.
2. Layer up at your local charity shop
Charity stores are the best!
For the cheapest prices, there’s so much you can find for you and the rest of your family. From vintage to brand new clothes, shoes, and many other bargains. Stock up on cosy blankets, hoodies, socks, winter coats and any thermal garments you can find. These will keep you warm for the rest of the season without making you choose between turning on the heating or having a warm cooked meal.
You can find these stores everywhere. Check out your local high-street or shopping centre to see where you can start your search for good clothing at the lowest prices.
Bonus tip – Car boot sales are also great for finding bargains on clothes and other items you may need. It’s definitely worth checking out if there are any in your area.
3. Have a cosy, fun film night in with the family
It can be difficult to keep everyone warm with the rising cost of living, so why not take advantage and get everyone together for a cosy night under the blankets. Get comfortable under a thick blanket and watch a film together. They’re a great investment to keep everyone warm whilst bonding with those closest to you.
You can even get everyone huddled together on the ground for some board games or just a general catch up, it’s completely up to you!
4. Get the most out of your radiators
Most of us aren’t able to keep the radiators on constantly throughout the day, so it’s important to get the most out of it when we do turn them on.
The best advice out there is to place tin foil behind the radiators in each room of our house. This is because the foil reflects more heat back into the room rather than letting it leave through the walls of the house.
This is a cheap but very effective and easy way to stay warm through the winter.
5. Close the curtains
When heat escapes our houses, a good chunk of it is through our windows. So one of the cheapest and most effective ways to stop this is by closing your curtains. By putting up a fabric barrier, the heat remains in our houses longer and takes more time to dissipate. Heavier curtains will definitely do the trick, especially if you don’t have the option to double glaze your windows.
6. Rearrange the furniture
This might sound like a strange one at first but trust us, it works!
Move your beds, chairs and sofas as close as you can to your radiators without obstructing them. If they’re blocked, then the room will take longer to fully heat up, upping your energy bill. Keeping the furniture mentioned above just close enough to the radiators will allow you to feel its warmth without stopping the rest of the room from warming up efficiently.
Bonus tip – keep the furniture that you regularly spend your time around away from the windows, doors or outer walls. This is where the cold tends to enter our houses and the heat tends to escape, so it will be colder in these areas of your house.
7. Hot water bottles
Hot water bottles are a great money saver during the winter. Instead of switching on the heating to warm the entire room, you can use a hot water bottle to keep your body warm. Due to its insulating properties preventing the heat from escaping, they can stay warm for longer, keeping you toasty without upping the energy bills. It costs significantly less money to boil water for your hot water bottle than it costs to switch the heating on in your home, so your bottle will definitely be your best friend throughout the winter.
Share some of your tips to survive the cold this winter on our forum and social media! Let us know how you keep the bills down and whilst staying warm.
