As the weather gets colder, many people will be looking for ways to keep their homes warm without turning the heating on – and one expert has shared a simple free hack.
As the autumn and winter seasons approach, keeping warm at home becomes a significant worry. Turning up the heating can offer much-needed comfort, but with energy bills soaring for many households, any cost-saving measures are always useful to know.
A staggering 1.7 million households reportedly stated last year that they wouldn’t be switching on their central heating due to escalating energy costs.
However, chilly temperatures can lead to health problems and disrupt a good night’s sleep. But you don’t always need to depend on the heating to stay cosy, reports the Express.
Lisa Davis, Product Advisor at Opera Beds, has suggested a few budget-friendly tips to keep your bedroom cosy this winter without touching the thermostat.
One of these tips doesn’t require spending a single penny – it’s as simple as rearranging your room furniture.
Placing your bed against interior walls is generally better, as these walls are less susceptible to temperature changes, ensuring you stay consistently warm throughout the night.
It’s also recommended to position the bed away from windows, as even the most insulated ones can lose heat and let in cold drafts. Avoid blocking radiators with furniture, which can hinder their efficiency, and think about laying a rug on hard floors to provide insulation and minimise heat loss.
Another cost-free trick to keep your home cosy is to close your curtains at a specific time.
With the clocks having been turned back, it’s crucial to draw your curtains as soon as the sun sets to trap in the heat. Curtains with thermal lining are especially good at keeping out the cold air from windows.
The most effective curtain materials for holding in warmth are thick, heavy fabrics like wool, velvet or fleece. If you’re on a tight budget, consider using a shower curtain behind your regular curtains for an additional layer of insulation.
Lastly, make sure all draughts from windows and doors are sealed using weather stripping and window film, as this can make a bigger difference than you might think.
To detect any draughts in your house, feel for air movement around doors, windows, floorboards, beams, skirting boards, and air conditioning units. You can also use the simple trick of holding a lit match near potential leaks to see if it flickers.
Keep doors to unused rooms shut to focus warmth where it’s needed most and use a draught excluder to block cold air from coming in under doors.