As winter takes hold, worries about the rising expenses of energy, fuel, food, and other commodities are on the rise. Here are some valuable suggestions for staying warm this winter without investing in costly products or home improvements.

Layers, layers and more layers!

Layering up is the most cost-effective and immediate method to stay warm without relying on heating. Adding more layers ensures effective insulation, trapping body heat for an extended period. 

Enhance warmth by wearing a hat, gloves, and scarf, as a significant portion of body heat (40 to 45 percent) is lost through the head and neck. To increase comfort, drape a blanket over your knees and legs, but remember to stand up and move regularly. 

At bedtime, opt for pyjamas and extra blankets to keep warm, and consider repurposing sleeping bags from your summer camping adventures instead of purchasing new blankets.

Eliminate draughts

Ensuring your home is free of draughts is crucial for maintaining warmth. Identify and block sources of draughts to create a cosier living space.

Pay particular attention to hallways, known for being prone to draughts. Inspect your front door, replacing any worn-out draught sealing, and consider adding a rail with a thick floor-to-ceiling curtain for nightime coverage. If the wind is penetrating through the keyhole, use a keyhole cover and insert a foam block into the letter flap. 

Check other potential entry points for cold air, such as loft hatches and period windows. While double glazing is an effective but expensive solution for draughty windows, a budget-friendly, renter-friendly alternative is to install a lift-out clear plastic panel secured with magnetic tape around the window frame.

Keep doors closed

A straightforward yet effective approach to preserving heat within a room is to close the door. If you find yourself spending extended periods in specific rooms, such as a home office or bedroom, it’s crucial to shut the doors to retain the warmth.

Moreover, closing all internal doors not only prevents drafts from entering rooms but, when combined with draught excluders or improvised solutions like tights filled with old socks or rice, can efficiently trap heat within your living spaces.

Take your floors into consideration

It’s simple to underestimate the impact of your floors, yet they could be contributing to a colder environment than necessary. Homes lacking carpets, in particular, tend to feel much colder.

To combat the cold, make sure to wear socks and slippers. Additionally, consider placing rugs, especially in homes with tiles or laminate flooring. Rugs not only provide insulation but also contribute to a cosier ambiance, even on carpeted floors.

Check your radiators

When you have the opportunity to switch on your radiators, it’s essential to maximise the heat they generate. The initial step is to bleed your radiators, ensuring optimal efficiency and avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

Another recommended practice is placing foil behind your radiators to enhance the heat distribution. This simple and cost-effective hack allows the heat to reflect back into the room, providing an efficient way to boost your radiators and keep your house warm during the winter.

Keep active

The allure of staying snug on the couch with layers of blankets during colder months is undeniable. However, getting up and staying active can significantly enhance your warmth.

Exercise is particularly beneficial as it prompts your body to generate its own heat. This process involves muscles converting stored energy into heat energy, resulting in a warming effect on your body.

Staying active doesn’t necessarily mean intense workouts; even simple household chores like vacuuming the living room can get you moving and raise your body temperature.

Prolong the warmth of hot beverages

Sipping on a hot cup of coffee or tea provides a comforting escape from the cold. Yet, it’s common to lose track of a cup brewed half an hour ago, only to find it cold when remembered. Despite the temporary rise in body temperature by about 2.5°C during the consumption of a hot beverage, this warmth lasts merely 20 minutes, making them less effective when considering the energy costs of boiling the kettle.

However, a solution exists to maintain the warmth of your drinks for a more extended period, preventing the wastage of energy used to boil the kettle. Opt for thermal travel mugs instead of regular cups and mugs. These mugs keep drinks warmer for longer, making them an ideal choice for hot chocolate and soup to keep you warm.

Contact Ability

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