The UK is set to get even colder in the coming weeks, so Brits are looking for ways to keep their homes warm without cranking up the heating – and it turns out the answer could be a lot simpler than you think.
With Britain gradually getting colder, people across the country have been searching for ways to warm their homes without simply turning up the heating.
From piling on cosy blankets to trying out energy-saving tricks, households are doing their best to stay warm whilst keeping those bills down.
According to heating specialists at Plumbworld, the easiest solution – dubbed the “Victorian method” – could help cut costs whilst keeping valuable warmth locked into a single room.
The technique involves placing thick door curtains (known to Victorians as portières) over draughty interior doorways and behind the front door, combined with a simple draught excluder along the bottom.
This fabric barrier holds in the heat you’ve already paid for in the spaces you’re actively using – no equipment required, no DIY skills needed, perfectly suitable for renters, and takes just minutes to set up.
Thick curtains can reduce window heat loss by approximately one-third to two-fifths (up to 33% according to Salford University Energy House trials on contemporary double glazing).
That rises to 39% for heavy curtains on period sash windows in Historic England studies.
This decrease in escaping heat results in a modest yet noticeable increase in room temperature – usually around 1-2°C in the heated area, particularly during chilly evenings.
For those living in homes with period doors and hallways, draught-proofing can significantly reduce cold air infiltration, making rooms feel warmer at the same thermostat setting, reports the Express.
Historic England and English Heritage both endorse the use of door seals and thick hangings for this purpose.
This could allow many households to lower their thermostat by about 1°C without feeling any chillier.
Here’s how to do the Victorian method
- Fit a simple tension pole or track above the doorway (internal doors and the front door).
- Hang a thick, full-length curtain (wool, lined velvet, or a thermal curtain) so it lightly touches the floor and overlaps the frame.
- Add a draught excluder along the threshold; keep letterboxes and keyholes covered.
- At windows, close heavy night curtains; they’re proven to reduce heat loss substantially, reinforcing the effect.
- Keep fabric clear of open flames and don’t drape curtains over radiators or block vents.