Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Warm

Keeping your house warm in the UK can feel like a never-ending battle, especially with energy bills creeping higher each year. Whether you’re renting a flat, living in an older house, or just trying to stretch your budget through the winter months, staying warm without spending a fortune is more important than ever.

The good news? There are plenty of clever, cheap ways to keep your house warm — from DIY fixes and smart habits to simple products that make a real difference.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover practical, affordable ideas to help you stay cosy without blowing your budget. Let’s dive in!

Contents

• Introduction

• Why Houses Lose Heat

• Cheap Ways to Keep Warm

  • Insulation Tricks

  • Heating Hacks

  • Smart Habits

  • Low-Cost Products

• Room-by-Room Tips

• Common Mistakes to Avoid

• FAQs

• Final Thoughts

Why Houses Lose Heat

Before we get into solutions, it helps to understand where the problem starts.

Houses typically lose heat through:

• Walls (up to 35%)

• Roof (up to 25%)

• Windows and doors (up to 20%)

• Floors (up to 15%)

• Draughts (around 10%)

Older homes, common across much of the UK, are especially bad at retaining heat. Single glazing, poor insulation, and gaps in doors and walls all add up to chilly rooms and higher bills.

But fixing these problems doesn’t always mean expensive building work. There are plenty of cheap fixes you can do yourself!

Cheap Ways to Keep Warm

Here’s a full breakdown of affordable methods to make your home warmer:

Insulation Tricks

1. Use Thermal Curtains

Invest in thermal or heavy-lined curtains for windows. These help trap warmth inside and block cold air from creeping in.

Tip: Close curtains as soon as it gets dark to keep heat in, and open them during the day to let sunlight naturally warm your rooms.

2. DIY Window Insulation

• Use cling film or specialist window insulation kits to create a temporary double glazing effect.

• Apply the film tightly across the window frame to block draughts.

Cost: Under £10 for a full kit.

3. Insulate Loft Hatches

Heat rises — and escapes if your loft hatch isn’t sealed.

• Stick insulation board or thick draft excluder strips around the edges.

• Even an old blanket tucked in can help!

4. Cover Bare Floors

Wooden floors look lovely but are terrible for heat loss.

• Layer up with rugs and carpet runners, especially in rooms without fitted carpets.

• Seal gaps in floorboards with flexible filler.

Bonus: Rugs add a cosy feel instantly.

5. Insulate External Doors

Fit a door curtain over your front and back doors to block cold air.
You can find heavy thermal door curtains or make one using thick fabric you already have.

Heating Hacks

6. Reflect Heat Back into the Room

Place radiator reflector panels (or simply some tin foil) behind radiators that sit on external walls.
This bounces heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through the walls.

Cost: DIY for £5 or less.

7. Bleed Your Radiators

Trapped air in your radiators stops them heating up properly.
Bleed them at least once every winter — it’s easy and free.

8. Only Heat the Rooms You Use

• Close doors to unused rooms.

• Use portable electric heaters in small spaces if it’s more efficient than heating the whole house.

• Turn down thermostats slightly in rooms you don't often use.

9. Set a Smart Heating Schedule

Rather than leaving the heating on all day, set it to come on only when needed:

• Early mornings

• Evenings after work

• Before bedtime

Bonus: A smart thermostat (or even an old-fashioned timer) saves a fortune.

Smart Habits

10. Layer Up Indoors

Don’t be shy about wearing an extra jumper or thick socks.
Invest in some proper thermal loungewear or a hooded blanket for winter evenings.

11. Block Draughts Everywhere

• Use draught excluders at the bottom of doors.

• Block letterboxes and keyholes with simple covers.

• Fill gaps around windows and skirting boards.

DIY tip: Even a rolled-up towel can work in a pinch.

12. Make the Most of Cooking Heat

After using your oven, leave the door open (safely!) to let the leftover heat warm the kitchen.
Boiling kettles and simmering pots also add warmth and humidity.

13. Use Your Body Heat

Sharing a room with others, pets, or even lighting a few candles (safely) can gently raise the temperature.

14. Dry Clothes Smartly

Use a heated airer instead of draping wet clothes over radiators.
Clothes blocking radiators reduce efficiency massively.

Low-Cost Products That Help

Here’s a quick list of affordable products that can seriously improve home warmth:

Most of these will pay for themselves within a single winter through lower heating bills.

Room-by-Room Tips

Different rooms need slightly different strategies to keep warm cheaply:

Living Room

• Use a thick rug

• Close off unused fireplaces

• Add a door curtain if the room leads to a hallway

Bedroom

• Layer bedding with blankets or throws

• Consider an electric blanket for bedtime warmth

• Seal any window gaps

Kitchen

• Use the oven wisely

• Keep doors closed while cooking to trap warmth

Bathroom

• Fit a draught stopper under the bathroom door

• Add a small rug or mat to cold tiles

Hallways

• Don’t waste heat warming the hallway.

• Insulate the front door and use a thick door mat to block under-door draughts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls that actually make your house colder:

• Leaving doors open between heated and unheated areas

• Blocking radiators with furniture

• Forgetting to bleed radiators

• Over-relying on portable heaters in large rooms (inefficient)

• Drying clothes directly on radiators

• Heating empty rooms unnecessarily

Every small change adds up when it comes to heat and cost savings.

FAQs

Q: Is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day?
A: Not usually. It’s more efficient to heat only when needed, as keeping a house warm constantly wastes energy.

Q: Does using tin foil behind radiators really work?
A: Yes! It reflects heat back into the room rather than letting it soak into the walls.

Q: How can I cheaply insulate windows?
A: Use cling film or window insulation kits to create a sealed air barrier — works surprisingly well!

Q: Are heated throws safe?
A: Modern heated throws and electric blankets are very safe if used correctly. Always follow manufacturer guidelines.

Q: How much can I save with draught-proofing?
A: Proper draught-proofing can cut about £45–£50 a year off the average UK heating bill — not bad for a few pounds' investment.

Final Thoughts

Keeping warm through a British winter doesn’t have to mean sky-high energy bills.
With a few cheap tricks — like insulating windows, using rugs, bleeding your radiators, and smart layering — you can stay cosy and comfortable while keeping your budget intact.

The secret is in small actions adding up: fix draughts, use heat smartly, dress warmly, and block heat loss wherever possible.
Even if you rent, or live in a draughty old house, you’ve got plenty of options to fight the chill without spending a fortune.

Stay warm, stay savvy — and enjoy your cosiest winter yet!