When scrimping and saving it's easy to forget about mounting heating bills and we can end up taking advantage of heating appliances in the home. Struggling to pay the quarterly bill or filling the meter every week isn't fun.Below are some handy tips to keeping your house warm, even if you can't afford to put the heating on at all.
- Keep all the doors shut in the house at all times. Even when moving from room to room, shutting the doors will help to keep any heat in each room.
- Use thick curtains on all the windows in each room of the house and even on the front door. This really helps to stop any drafts. Pull the curtains as soon as it starts getting dark, open them in the day just in case we are lucky enough for some sun!
- Use old trousers to make draft excluders. Cut off a leg near to the crotch, stitch it up at one end and fill it with old sheets, towels or any old clothing quite tightly. Tie it with ribbon at the other end and place on the floor in front of the doors.
- Put foil behind radiators (shiny side facing the radiator), it will help to bounce the heat back into the room if you use them. Turn the thermostat down by one degree, it will make a difference in your energy bills. Double up your clothing so you don't need to use the gas or electric so often. Turn the heating off while you are out of the house - there's no point in heating an empty house!
How to Keep Yourself Warm
Here's a few tips I use to keep myself extra warm during the winter, especially as I work outside in all weathers!- Double up! Wear 2 jumpers, 2 pairs of socks, leggings under jeans, 2 T-shirts if needed. Wear a scarf indoors. Wear slippers, especially if you have laminate flooring or tiles. Tuck you T-shirt into your trousers or jeans, and tuck the bottom of your trousers into your socks - easy draft excluders! These will all help to keep in your body heat.
- Sit on your pyjamas for a few minutes before putting them on, it'll warm them up before you get changed. You WILL appreciate this.
- Move your beds and seating furniture away from windows or doors. Use a throw or blanket in the evening when sitting to cover yourself to keep warm.
- Make sure you have a thick duvet or plenty of heavy duty blankets on your bed. If you still get cold then wear socks to bed (who cares!), thick pyjama bottoms/leggings and a fleece with a hood. Put the hood up while you sleep to help keep you warm.
- Turn all heaters off except for the room you use the most.
- Cuddle! Your other half, kids, dog or cat - share the body heat for extra warmth.