10 Tips to keep your house warm in winter

With December fast approaching, there’s no escaping that winter is starting to bite. And, as much as we love cool, crisp days, there’s nothing better than cosying up inside. But staying cosy can be costly, so how can we keep warm without paying the price? Here are our 10 top tips to keep your house warm in winter:

1. Draught-proofing

According to Home Energy Scotland, simple draught proofing around windows and doors could save you £40 per year!

If you’ve got curtains, close them before it gets dark or while you’re out of the house and keep that lovely heat where it should be – inside. Thermal curtains are an excellent option for front and back doors.

You could also place a draught excluder and insulating tape at the bottom of external doors and lay rugs over any stone, vinyl or laminate flooring.

2. Ready your radiators

Most of our homes are heated by radiators and, while we often consider insulating the rest of the house, we usually forget that 40% of the heat from radiators installed on outside walls goes straight back outside. This means you consume 40% more energy than necessary to get the same result.

To stop heat from escaping, stick some reflective radiator foil behind your radiators to reflect heat back into the room.  Or, if you’re feeling crafty, cover a thin sheet of card with tinfoil and place it behind your radiators.

Also, check that your radiators are heating to the top. If they aren’t, they might need to be ‘bled’, releasing the trapped air at the top that’s stopping the hot water from rising. Use a radiator bleed key (about £1 in any DIY shop) to open the little valve at the top. You’ll hear air hiss and, as soon as you see a drip of water, close it up again.

3. Pipe down!

As temperatures drop, your pipes could be at risk of freezing or bursting, leaving you with disruption, damage and cost.

Pipe lagging (insulating hot water pipes with foam tubes) keeps the water inside your pipes hotter for longer and prevents your pipes from freezing.  It also makes your heating and hot water much more efficient. It’s easy to buy in any DIY shop and fits in seconds, with no tools required.

You can also buy tap covers and tank jackets and fit them yourself for free. Don’t forget pipes and water tanks in colder areas like garages, lofts and basements.

4. Get your boiler serviced

Ignore your boiler at your peril!  An annual service (ideally in the warmer months, but it’s never too late!) will help it last longer and work more efficiently, saving costs further down the line.  Don’t forget to use a Gas Safe Registered Engineer or invest in a plan that includes a free annual boiler service.

5. Take control

Many of us don’t understand our heating controls and simply turn them up full blast when we’re cold.

If you’re confused about using them correctly, dig out the manufacturer’s manual or find it online.

Aim to keep the main room thermostat somewhere between 18 and  21°C. It’s also a good idea to set your thermostat to one temperature and then use a timer to turn it on and off when you need the heating most. That way, you won’t waste excess energy from leaving the heating on too high for too long.  And remember, if you’re heading away for a few days, keep your thermostat set to at least 7°C. Certain thermostats have built-in frost protection features, automatically turning your heating on if the temperature drops too low.

There are lots of ways to take control, from boiler/room thermostats to radiator controls and even smartphone apps.

6. Water works

Leaky taps can cause your drains to freeze and water to back up to your sink, leading to an overflow, so ensure your taps are always fully off, and fix them if they’re constantly dripping.

And remember, if your pipes do freeze, you’ll need to know how to stop this water from flowing to your home, so make sure you know where your stopcock is. It’s also worth clearing the area around it for easy access and use it immediately if you spot a leaky pipe.

And, if you are heading off over the holidays, turn your water off at the stopcock before you go.  You might even want to drain the water in your system by running the taps until they’re empty. Just remember to close them again once you’ve finished.

7. Step outside

Before winter leaves its mark, remove leaves, debris, and water from your gutters.

As leaves start to fall, there’s a risk that wind will blow them into your gutters and drainpipes will get filled up. If this builds up, the water will go back into the guttering and leak into the roof and sides of your house.

It’s also worth checking for loose tiles, slates and flashing and consider removing dead branches from old trees. They can all cause damage if they go flying!

8. Check the forecast

It might seem obvious but consider some extra steps if the weather is about to turn.

When high winds are forecast, remember that some everyday items in the garden can turn into ‘missiles’, so consider dismantling or moving anything that isn’t secured, like garden furniture.

Similarly, check if your home is at risk of flooding by signing up for free flood warnings.

9. Re-jig your living spaces

Large pieces of furniture soak up heat.

Moving your sofa even six inches away from the radiator will allow heat to flow around the room more effectively.  Similarly, you’ll feel much colder if you’re sitting near an external wall. Moving furniture closer to internal walls should help you feel warmer and allow you to have the heating on for shorter periods of time.

Corner sofas are particularly effective at making a room feel warmer as they leave less empty space for draughts to build.

10. Think long-term!

The prospect of spending huge sums on home improvements is unlikely to appeal just before Christmas so, if you can’t afford to take action now, do some planning instead.

Whether it’s reviewing your energy supplier, exploring renewable energy options or seeking insulation advice, commit to making some longer-term changes in 2025.

For more information on keeping your home warm, and your costs down this winter, visit Home Energy Scotland.