14 low-tech ways to keep your house warm over the winter

By Tom Heyden
BBC News Magazine

31 October 2013

There’s growing concern about price rises from British energy companies. Here are cheap ways to save money when heating your house.

Householders are regularly being advised to install double glazing, thorough insulation and overhaul their inefficient heating system. But apart from those often expensive tactics, what can be done cheaply and quickly to keep your house warm?

1. Use tin foil. One way to prevent unnecessary heat loss from radiators, particularly on those attached to external walls, is to use heat reflective aluminium foil behind the radiator. This prevents heat disappearing through the wall by reflecting it back into the room, says Sophie Neuburg, energy campaigner for charity Friends of the Earth. Foil specially designed for the purpose can be bought for under ВЈ10. «You can even use good quality kitchen foil,» says Carl Brennand, assistant manager of website Moneymagpie, although it’s generally not as effective.

2. Thick curtains are one of the main ways to protect your house from losing heat through the windows. Curtains with a thermal lining are a relatively cheap option, says Brennand. «The thicker the better,» adds Archna Luthra, consumer analyst at moneysavingexpert.com. If you don’t want to splash out on new curtains you can line them yourself with materials like cheap fleece, says Brennand. «You can even use PVC shower curtains,» he suggests. And it’s not just windows that can have curtains. Placing a curtain in front of doors to the outside adds another layer of protection. And it doesn’t even need to be a curtain. «My gran used to have an old rug that she used to pin up over the back of the front door,» says interior designer Claire Potter.

3. But let the sunlight in during the day. It’s important to try to use as much natural — and free — heat (in the form of sunlight) as possible. Window shades and curtains should be kept open during the day, advise Age UK. Closing your curtains as soon as dusk falls will maximise your house’s potential to retain that heat.

4. Double glazing is heat-efficient but it’s relatively costly. If you can’t afford it, why not fake it? «There’s a special film that you can put across [single-glazed] windows» that can imitate the same effect, albeit to a lesser degree, says Neuburg. You can attach the film to the window frame using double-sided tape and then fix it using a hairdryer, she says. There’s a downside. You won’t be able to open your windows without breaking the seal. But a pack to cover a medium-sized house would be about ВЈ15, estimates Potter, so it could just be redone from time to time. Potter, who has no heating system in her house, says one batch of film has lasted about two or three years as she has small windows. Alternatively, self-adhesive foam strips can help seal any gaps in the edges of windows. Metal or plastic strips with brushes or wipers attached cost a bit more but will last longer as a result, according to the Energy Saving Trust. These can also be used as draught excluders around the hinges and frames of doors.

5. Stop heat being lost up the chimney. It’s now fairly common to have fireplaces that are merely decorative. If you’re not using yours then you should consider a chimney balloon, says Potter. «There’s an amazing amount of heat that can be lost through an open fireplace,» she says. A chimney balloon, made from a special laminate, can be bought for about ВЈ20 and works by being placed inside the chimney hole, just out of sight. It’s then inflated until it completely shuts out any incoming cold air or escaping heat. Just be sure not to start a fire without removing it. There are also woollen chimney insulators on the market. But again, make sure you remove them before starting any fires.

6. Watch out for mini-draughts. «Lots of draught comes through the letterbox,» says Potter. It’s worthwhile putting an extra barrier there in the form of a «brush». They may be a nightmare for junk-mailers trying to force through that 15th pizza takeaway offer, but they could prevent a chill breezing through the house. The same goes for keyholes, which can be protected with «simple circular (keyhole covers) that slip over the top», says Potter, especially with the older, wider keyholes. Cat or dog flaps can also be filled with some sheep’s wool insulation or pieces of blanket. «It’s amazing how even a small draught can make a room a lot colder, so if you can cut that bit of air out it immediately makes a difference,» says Potter.

7. DIY draught excluders are one lesson people can learn from previous generations. «Old-fashioned draught excluders work well,» says Potter. «In the past it wasn’t unusual to have a ‘sausage dog’,» says Potter. For the uninitiated, «sausage dog» draught excluders are vaguely reminiscent of the shape of a dachshund and typically rest at the bottom of doors, stopping heat escaping through the gap between door and floor. Anybody who’s ever been smoking inside a room that they shouldn’t will probably be aware that almost any material or piece of clothing can be used to wedge the space. And simple draught excluders can be made from cutting an old pair of tights and stuffing them with socks, says Luthra. But the more ambitious can go further. «If you really want to go all out you can decorate them,» she says. The stuffing can be almost anything from rice and lentils to gravel, suggests the website Singerdiscount, which also provides a relatively simple guide.

8. Clear your radiators. Try and avoid placing large pieces of furniture in front of them. At least in the short-term, the sofa you love by the radiator is absorbing heat, says Neuburg.

9. Putting a shelf above the radiator, especially if you have high ceilings, can also help channel the warmth, adds Neuburg. But it’s important not to place things on the radiator itself, she says, «You can put a shelf above it to stop the hot air rising directly above it.» This is particularly the case if the radiator is below a window with curtains, where warm air would be trapped between the window and the curtain.

10. Shut up unused rooms, says Neuburg. Keeping doors closed will prevent cold air moving into the rest of the house and contain the heat you’ve generated in a smaller area.

11. Cover bare floorboards. Floors account for as much as 10% of heat loss if they’re not insulated, according to the National Energy Foundation (NEF). Carpets came into being for a reason, says Potter. Those with wooden flooring have to deal with heat loss. Rugs and blankets can help mitigate this and have the added bonus of keeping your feet warm. «Sometimes it’s just the psychological element,» says Potter. But if there are cracks or gaps in the flooring it’s a good idea to squirt some filler into them, advises the NEF. «Floorboards and skirting boards can contract, expand or move slightly with everyday use, so you should use a filler that can tolerate movement,» suggests the NEF. These are usually silicone-based.

12. Insulating your whole house professionally can seem expensive to some. But DIY loft insulation is a possibility. Rolls of foam insulation are cheap, says Brennand, and three rolls of 8in deep foam should be enough to give most lofts an important layer of protection. Mineral wool (such as Rockwool or Rocksil), glass fibre and recycled paper products all work well, according to the NEF. But remember to wear a facemask, goggles and protective clothing if you do it yourself, and leave sufficient gaps around the eaves to avoid condensation, the NEF warns.

13. Don’t undo your work by having an inefficient loft hatch, says Potter. «Some people might have a lovely insulated loft but the loft hatch might be an old timber one that’s not insulated,» she says. Insulating it can be done with same self-adhesive strips as for window and doors. It’s also worth checking that none of your roof tiles is loose or missing. «If you have loose tiles or a damaged roof then you’re going to get water that can get into your loft and as soon as the insulation gets wet it loses its efficiency,» she says. Although the difficulty of checking may be the biggest obstacle, if it’s safe to do so then a single tile or so can be relatively cheap to replace.

14. Setting timers on heating is important. «It’s a myth that keeping it on all day is better,» says Luthra. If it’s very cold, the timer should be set to switch the heating on earlier, rather than turning the thermostat up to warm the house rapidly, according to Age UK.

Additional reporting by Olivia Sorrel-Dejerine

3 Easy Ways to Keep Your House Warm

It’s mid-December in Jacksonville, and it’s a frigid 35-degree evening. The heater button on your thermostat is collecting dust. The wood floor feels ice-cold on your feet, and the mere thought of sitting on your leather couch is giving you frostbite. What do you do? You’re faced with the ultimate dilemma of either throwing money to the wind or suffering slightly in the name of frugality. The man on your left shoulder says, “it’s just money. crank up the heat, baby!” The one your right says, “DO NOT TOUCH THE THERMOSTAT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!” What if I told you this age-old dilemma doesn’t have to be so hard? With a little bit of education, you’ll find that a few small tweaks around the house will warm things up in no time. You won’t even have to step foot near that dreaded money-burning machine on your wall. Here are three easy, yet effective ways to keep your house warm this winter:

Window Prep

The cold will sneak into your house any possible way it can. One common way the cold finds its way in is through your windows. We can’t stress enough the importance of checking your windows for gaps and cracks that could be creating drafts. This could be why it still seems cold in your house even though you’ve got the heat cranked up. Plus, you could be burning up a lot of money in the process. Be sure to check your windows sooner rather than later because the colder it gets, the more uncomfortable the window replacement process will be, since you’ll have cold air drafting throughout your house during the replacement. Just remember, when looking for possible drafts coming through your windows, it might not be apparent at first. If you suspect you might have a draft but aren’t quite sure, talk to a professional at a local hardware store. There are a range of products you can use to detect a draft, even if the crack in your window is microscopic.

Another thing to consider is window treatments. Just as the cold can transfer through a window, so can heat from the sunlight. Keep curtains or blinds open during the day to let in natural light. When the sun sets, close your curtains or blinds to keep in the heat. This is the easiest and most efficient way to keep your home warm, as it doesn’t cost a single dime!

The Water Tank

Controlling the air temperature isn’t the only way to keep your home warm during the winter. You can take steps to save money by keeping the water warm as well. You’ve probably had the lovely experience of having to wait impatiently for the water to warm up in order to avoid a cold shower, all because someone threw in a load of laundry or decided to do the dishes minutes before. As you wait for the water to get warm, the minutes add up, and so do the dollar signs. You can avoid this by making sure your water tank is well insulated. Some Floridians might be puzzled by the mention of water tank insulation, but if you don’t have it already, it’s a worthy investment. Insulating your water tank is incredibly cheap, and the return on investment makes it worth the buy. Whether it’s electrical tape or reflective insulation, you won’t spend more than $50, and the payoff will be hundreds.

Utilize your Furniture and Appliances

Believe it or not, the stuff you already have in your house can be rearranged and used to produce a much warmer environment. First, take a look at the room where you spend most of your time. Where’s the couch located? Table? Chairs? Now locate your air vents. Even though you might think you have the most ideal setup, it might not be practical for keeping your house warm during the winter months. A lot of times, furniture may be placed directly over or near a vent, where it absorbs most of its output. This causes your heater to have to work harder to warm up the rest of the space. Rearrange your furniture so your air vents have enough space to release heat into the open air.

Remember the frozen hardwood floors mentioned earlier? Invest in some rugs to save your feet the pain. Rugs are decent insulators, so they’ll slowly but surely help to heat up the room as well. As for your kitchen, this room produces a lot of heat based on its sheer functionality. We assume you’ll be doing some baking this winter, so once you take your creation out of the oven, turn it off and leave the oven door open. This warms up the air pretty fast. Now you’ve got a warm house and fresh, homemade cookies! It doesn’t get much better than that. Lastly, warm yourself up. Embracing the cold weather with a cozy cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or whatever other warm beverage you prefer is a super effective way to warm yourself up and enjoy this time of year.

Now that you have the right information, do you think your home is prepped for the winter? If you think your doors or windows need a little bit of work this season, give us a call! We live for making sure you’re getting the best service. We want you to worry less about the maintenance of your home, and focus more on filling it with great memories during the holiday season.

25 Expert Tips to Help Keep Your House Warm This Winter

How do you keep your house warm all winter long without going broke? Follow these expert tips.

Like it or not, winter is here. And for those living in cold-weather regions, the drop in temperature can mean a rise in heating expenses over the next few months. In fact, according to the United States Energy Information Administration, the average American household spent nearly $4,000 on heating costs in the winter of 2018. However, huge utility bills aren’t the only answer to staying comfortable this winter—with the help of experts, we’ve rounded up the best ways to keep your house warm and cozy this year without needing to spend a fortune.

Those thin, light-colored curtains you use during the summer months do your home a serious disservice when temperatures start to drop. «In the winter, switch these out with heavier drapes,» says Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority. «This helps keep the warm air in and that chilling breeze out.»

This winter, take advantage of the most effective natural heater there is: the sun! «Open blinds and curtains during the day to let the sunlight in to bring the house temperature up,» suggests HGTV star and Trane Residential partner Anthony Carrino.

Similarly, if you’re eager to keep the cold out, it pays to close those curtains when the sun sets. «Conventional draperies can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10 percent,» says Stapf, citing Energy.gov research.

The right thermostat goes a long way when it comes to keeping your home warm during the winter. Mark Dawson, COO of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, recommends installing a smart thermostat that is programmable, which «allows you to set the thermostat for warmer temperatures just before you wake up and prior to returning home, enhancing your comfort.»

Cranking up the heat won’t actually heat your home faster; it’ll just make your furnace put out heat for longer. So, while it may be tempting to crank up the thermostat when it’s cold out, it’s not the best move in the long run. «These extreme temperature fluctuations make your furnace work much harder than it should and spike your energy bills,» explains Dawson. He recommends increasing your home’s temperature between 7 and 10 degrees.

Keeping those toes warm in the winter means more than just investing in a good pair of slippers—laying down some throw rugs can help, too. Not only will they help keep your feet warm, they can also better insulate your home, as well as potentially reduce any drafts between floorboards.

You probably don’t think to turn on your ceiling fan when it’s cold outside. But doing so can actually keep your house warm—that is, if you make one important change first. «During the winter, reverse your fan’s rotation to push cool air upward and mix with the rising heat,» Carrino says. «The mixed air will then spread downward, making your room feel warmer.»

If you want to keep your house warm and avoid a burst pipe this winter, it pays to cover them before the temperature gets too low. According to Dawson, this can be done using «pipe sleeves, heat tape, or heat cables that can be wrapped around pipes to insulate them.» However, if you don’t have any of those options handy—or if you’re on a budget—Dawson says newspaper can help prevent pipes from freezing in a pinch.

Another way to help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting is to let your faucets run slightly throughout the day. According to Dawson, this will encourage water flow and will melt any frozen spots that may have begun to build in your pipes. This simple practice can even spare you from a flood due to a burst pipe.

It may clear the air when you’re cooking, but your kitchen hood can also act as a passageway for cold air to get inside your house. To avoid that side effect, Dawson recommends covering the kitchen hood when it’s not in use to mitigate leaks and keep warm air inside.

Not only will cleaning out your dryer vents help «make sure accumulated lint is not blocking air flow,» says Dawson, it will also help prevent your dryer from becoming a fire hazard.

That open flue is a common source of home drafts, according to Dawson. So when it’s not in use, keep it closed and you’ll keep more warm air inside your home.

Furniture that covers an HVAC register is preventing your home from getting heated properly. «Impeding the free flow of air will mean that your heating system won’t be as effective as it could be,» says Glenn Wiseman, sales manager at Top Hat Home Comfort Services.

This is especially important if you have baseboard heating, which can lead to a fire if blocked, according to Wiseman.

Even though it may seem like an easy way to manage expenses, closing vents in rarely used rooms can ultimately leave your home feeling colder. «Your system is designed to heat all areas of your home,» explains Dawson. So, your HVAC system will continue to push out heated air, even when those vents are closed, making your system work harder while reducing its efficacy. Plus, «that pressure pushing up against closed vents can lead to damage and costly air leaks,» Dawson says.

Want to keep drafty windows from making your home uncomfortably cold? Start with a shrink wrap kit. «Cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide an extra layer of insulation to keep cold air out,» suggests Carrino.

A surprising amount of heat can be lost through your attic if it’s not properly insulated, a problem that can also lead to ice dams, leaks, and other damage. However, even if you don’t want to finish your attic completely, simply adding some insulation batting or having blown-in insulation sprayed into your attic’s existing framing can help keep heat loss at a minimum.

Since these are often large and left open for significant periods of time, garage doors can quickly make your home feel frigid. «If you live up north where it gets really cold, try adding extra insulation to your garage door—it can make a big difference,» says Carrino.

Regular maintenance of your home’s air filters not only reduces allergens—including mold—that can build up and spread throughout your house, but Carrino says it can also help avoid a potential blockage in your HVAC system. If left unchecked, a blockage could damage your equipment and reduce its efficiency, leaving you paying more for less heat.

It can be hard to tell if your HVAC system is working at full capacity, especially if it’s been slowly losing power over the years. If you want to keep your house toasty this winter, Carrino recommends hiring a professional to test your system’s component parts to ensure they’re in tip-top shape.

«As units get older, they don’t work as well,» says Daniel Quindemil, CEO at Miami-based construction company I AM Builders. «Getting a modern unit will keep your house hot during the winter.»

Have a little more wiggle room in your budget? Upgrading your boiler can help keep your house warm and your heating bills low. Quindemil estimates that newer boilers are 90 percent more efficient than older models.

This is another addition to your existing heating system that can make a major difference when it comes to keeping your home warm. Quindemil says installing a heat recovery ventilator «preheats the cold air coming in from outside and helps to reduce the demand on your furnace,» using the hot air that would otherwise escape your home.

If left unattended, cracks in your exterior brickwork can affect your home’s interior temperature by allowing cold air to seep in. «It’s in your best interest to spray the brick and mortar joints with [something like] Thompson’s water seal,» says Mike Martin, founder of Remodeling Expense and owner of MBM Construction in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

The areas where cold air enters your home aren’t always as obvious as exterior cracks. If you really want to keep out the cold, Dawson recommends adding caulk or weather-stripping around your outlets, your plumbing fixtures, and HVAC registers and vents.

No built-in fireplace? No problem! Portable fireplaces have stepped up their game in terms of aesthetics in recent years. «It adds a very nice design [element], plus it’s going to keep you warm,» Quindemil says.