How to keep your home warm in winter

Introduction

Winter bills climbing? Feeling the chill in every room? Learning how to keep your rented house warm in winter, whilst ensuring you comply with the terms of your tenancy agreement, is one of the most practical ways to save money and stay comfortable during the colder months. With energy prices still high and many UK homes built with poor insulation, keeping the heat inside has never mattered more. The good news is that small, affordable changes that can be temporary for a rental property can make a noticeable difference to how warm your home feels and how much you spend on heating.

Key insights

• Seal gaps around doors and windows to block draughts and stop warmth escaping. Just remember this may need permission from your landlord first, and you should agree whether any modifications should be removed at the end of your tenancy or not.
  
• Use thick curtains and rugs to trap warmth and keep rooms cosier without turning up the thermostat.
  
• Bleed radiators, install reflector panels, and reverse ceiling fans to boost heating performance.
  
• Only heat occupied rooms using thermostatic radiator valves or smart controls to reduce wasted energy.
  

Why do UK homes get so cold in winter?

Common heat loss points in British homes

Many UK homes lose heat faster than they can generate it, which is why rooms often feel chilly even with the heating on. The main culprits are gaps, uninsulated areas, and outdated fittings that let warmth escape.

Heat typically leaks through windows, doors, chimneys, lofts, and floorboards, making these the key areas to tackle first. According to government energy studies, as much as a quarter of household heat loss comes from the roof, while poorly sealed windows and doors can account for another 15–20%. In older or draughty properties, the combined effect can make heating systems work harder and bills rise quickly.

Simple fixes like draught excluders or window film can dramatically reduce these losses. By identifying where heat escapes and addressing those points, tenants can make their homes warmer, more energy-efficient, and more affordable to heat.

For additional inspiration on creating a cosier home this season, explore ways to make your home cosy this winter.

Typical insulation shortfalls in older UK properties

A large proportion of the UK’s housing stock was built long before modern insulation standards existed. This means older homes, particularly Victorian terraces, pre-war semis, and post-war council flats, often struggle to retain heat efficiently. Solid brick walls, single glazing, and uninsulated floors all allow warmth to escape faster than newer, cavity-insulated designs.

In many Victorian and Edwardian properties, solid walls make insulation trickier to install, as there’s no gap for cavity fill. Meanwhile, suspended timber floors commonly found in terraces can leak heat through gaps between boards and around skirting edges. Older flats built with concrete walls or poorly insulated roofs may also experience persistent cold spots and condensation.

Cheap and effective ways to keep your home warm in winter 

1. Seal windows and doors

One of the fastest ways to stop heat escaping is by sealing the gaps around windows and doors. You’ll need permission from your landlord, but even addressing tiny draughts can make a room feel noticeably colder.

Quick steps:

1. Use self-adhesive weatherstrips or rubber seals around window frames and door edges.
   
2. Place a draught excluder to the bottom of doors that lead outside.
   
3. Apply window film in winter to create an extra layer of insulation.
   

Estimated effort:

• Cost: £10–£25 for materials
  
• Time: Around 30 minutes per window or door
  

These simple DIY fixes can make a big difference to comfort levels and reduce wasted heat, particularly in older properties. They also won't damage the property.

2. Use thermal curtains or door drapes

Windows are one of the biggest sources of heat loss in winter. Fitting thermal curtains or heavy drapes helps trap warmth inside and block cold air from seeping through the glass.

How to get the best results:

• Hang curtains that fully cover the window frame and touch the floor for maximum insulation.
  
• Close them as soon as the sun sets to keep evening warmth in.
  
• For draughty hallways, hang a thick curtain over the front door to reduce cold air entering the home.

Bonus tip: Choose curtains with thermal or blackout linings, as these fabrics are specially designed to retain heat. If you already have good-quality curtains, you can buy clip-on thermal linings as a low-cost alternative.

3. Add rugs to bare floors

Hard floors can look great, but they’re also a major culprit for heat loss in winter. If you’ve got wooden floorboards, tiles, or laminate, adding a rug can make a room feel instantly warmer and reduce heat escaping through gaps in the floor.

Why it works:

• Rugs act as a layer of insulation, trapping warm air and stopping cold air from rising.
  
• They make walking barefoot or in socks more comfortable on chilly mornings.
  
• In older homes with suspended floors, they help limit draughts that travel up from underneath.
  

Practical ideas:

• Place large area rugs in living rooms or bedrooms where you spend the most time.
  
• Use non-slip underlay for safety and added insulation.
  
• Layer smaller rugs in corridors or near exterior doors to reduce heat loss in high-traffic areas.
  

Even small rugs can make a big impact on how cosy a room feels while cutting down the need to keep the heating on for as long.

4. Install radiator reflector panels

Radiators fixed to external walls can lose a lot of heat through the wall instead of warming the room. Radiator reflector panels help by directing that heat back into your living space, making your heating system more efficient. Ask permission from your landlord first, and agree whether any panels you install should be left behind or removed and made good when you move out.

How to do it:

1. Cut the reflective foil panel to the size of your radiator.
   
2. Place it behind the radiator using adhesive pads or clips.
   
3. Position the shiny side facing the radiator to reflect heat into the room.
   

Benefits:

• Helps rooms warm up faster without using more energy.
  
• Most effective on radiators attached to outside walls.
  
• Low cost and easy to install.

A single roll of radiator foil costs under £15 and can cover several radiators, making it a quick and affordable way to retain more heat indoors.

5. Bleed radiators for maximum efficiency

If your radiators feel warm at the bottom but cool at the top, trapped air is likely stopping hot water from circulating properly. Bleeding your radiators removes that air and helps them heat rooms more evenly.

Steps to follow:

1. Turn off your heating and let the radiators cool.
   
2. Use a radiator key to slowly open the valve at the top corner.
   
3. Wait until you hear a hiss, then close the valve once water starts to escape.
   
4. Turn the heating back on and check the radiator warms fully from top to bottom.
   

Why it helps:

• Ensures your heating system runs efficiently.
  
• Reduces wasted energy and helps rooms reach temperature faster.
  
• Prevents cold spots that can make certain areas feel draughty.
  

Bleeding radiators once or twice a year, especially before winter, is an easy home maintenance habit that can make a noticeable difference to warmth and heating costs. For step-by-step visual guidance, consider watching a short tutorial online before you begin.

6. Use programmable thermostats

A programmable thermostat allows you to control when and how your heating turns on, so you can stay warm when you need it most and save energy when you don’t. By heating your home efficiently, you reduce both fuel use and monthly bills.

How to use it effectively:

• Set the heating to come on about 30 minutes before you wake up or return home.
  
• Lower the temperature slightly overnight or when you’re out during the day.
  
• Use different schedules for weekdays and weekends to match your routine.
  

Keeping your heating system under control is one of the best ways to save energy without sacrificing comfort.

7. Rearrange furniture away from radiators

Blocking radiators with furniture can stop heat from circulating properly around the room. Sofas, beds, or large cabinets placed directly in front of them absorb the warmth instead of letting it spread.

Simple layout tips:

• Leave at least 20 centimetres of space between the radiator and nearby furniture.
  
• Avoid hanging long curtains over radiators, as they trap heat behind the fabric.
  
• Move larger items to interior walls where they won’t obstruct airflow.
  

By freeing up the space around your radiators, you’ll make your heating more effective without spending a penny. Rooms heat up faster, the thermostat doesn’t need to work as hard, and overall energy efficiency improves.

8. Close unused rooms

Heating every room in the house wastes energy, especially if some spaces are rarely used. By closing doors to unoccupied rooms, you can keep the warmth where it matters most.

How to do it effectively:

1. Shut internal doors to spare bedrooms, storage areas, or hallways that don’t need constant heating.
   
2. Place a draught excluder at the base of closed doors to prevent warm air from escaping.
   
3. Focus your heating on the rooms you use most, such as the living area and bedroom.
   

Why it works:

• Keeps warm air contained in occupied spaces.
  
• Reduces how hard your heating system needs to work.
  
• Makes it easier to maintain a comfortable, steady temperature.
  

This simple adjustment costs nothing but can noticeably improve how warm your home feels. It’s especially effective in larger or older properties where heat naturally disperses more quickly.

9. Layer up soft furnishings

Adding soft furnishings like throws, cushions, and blankets not only makes a room more inviting but also helps it retain heat. Fabrics trap warm air, reducing the chill from cold surfaces and creating a cosier environment.

Practical ideas:

• Keep fleece or wool throws on sofas and chairs for extra warmth during the evening.
  
• Use thermal or lined cushions on window seats or against exterior walls.
  
• Add thick bedding layers such as quilts and flannel sheets for more comfort overnight.
  

Why it works:

• Textiles act as insulation, reducing the need to raise the thermostat.
  
• Helps retain body heat in the spaces you use most.
  
• Makes rooms feel warmer without extra energy costs.
  

Layering fabrics is an easy way to create a warmer atmosphere that also looks homely. It’s especially effective in living areas where people gather, or in bedrooms where night-time temperatures tend to drop.

10. Warm beds with hot water bottles

Keeping warm at night doesn’t always mean running the heating. Hot water bottles are a simple, energy-efficient way to stay comfortable while you sleep.

Options to consider:

• Underblankets warm the mattress from below, while overblankets can be used like a throw.
  
• Hot water bottles or microwaveable heat packs provide quick, local warmth without electricity.
  

Warming the bed directly instead of heating the whole room is a smart way to cut energy costs. You’ll sleep more comfortably and wake up feeling refreshed without the chill of a cold bedroom.

11. Use draught stoppers under doors

Cold air often creeps in from gaps beneath doors, especially those leading to hallways or outside areas. A simple draught stopper is an easy and affordable way to keep that cold air out and the warmth in.

Options to try:

• Fabric draught excluders shaped like long cushions or “door snakes.”
  

Why it works:

• Stops heat escaping under doors where gaps are hard to notice.
  
• Makes rooms warm up faster and stay warmer for longer.
  
• Simple to install and requires no tools.
  

Draught stoppers cost just a few pounds and can instantly improve how cosy your rooms feel. For the best results, combine them with sealed windows and closed doors in unused areas to create an effective barrier against winter chills.

12. Harness natural sunlight during daytime

Sunlight is free heating, yet many people forget to make the most of it during winter. By using natural light strategically, you can raise indoor temperatures without touching the thermostat.

How to make it work:

1. Open curtains and blinds during the day, especially on south-facing windows.
   
2. Clean window glass to let in as much light and warmth as possible.
   
3. Close curtains at dusk to trap the heat once the temperature drops.
   

Extra tip: Move reflective surfaces such as mirrors or light-coloured furniture near sunny windows to spread natural light and warmth more effectively.

13. Reverse ceiling fans

Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer. Many models have a small switch that lets you reverse the direction of the blades, which can make a surprising difference in winter.

How it works:

• In warm months, fans spin counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.
  
• In winter, switch them clockwise at a low speed. This gently pushes warm air that has risen to the ceiling back down into the room.
  

Why it helps:

• Spreads heat more evenly without increasing energy use.
  
• Reduces the need to turn up the thermostat.
  
• Works particularly well in rooms with high ceilings.
  

If your fan doesn’t have a reverse switch, you can achieve a similar effect by using a low-speed standing fan aimed upward to circulate warm air. It’s a quick and cost-free way to make the most of the heat you already have.

14. Dress for the indoors

What you wear at home can make a big difference to how warm you feel. Instead of turning up the thermostat, layering your clothing helps you stay comfortable while keeping energy use low.

Practical ideas:

• Start with thermal base layers or long-sleeved tops made from cotton or merino wool.
  
• Add a jumper or fleece for extra insulation.
  
• Keep your feet warm with slippers or thermal socks, as heat often escapes through the floor.
  
• Have a cosy dressing gown or hoodie nearby for extra comfort during early mornings or evenings.
  

Why it matters:

• Wearing layers traps body heat more effectively than relying on a single thick garment.
  
• Helps you feel comfortable at lower room temperatures.
  
• Reduces how often you need to use the heating.
  

Renters can still create a warm, comfortable home with small, practical adjustments. For more advice on maintaining rental properties and understanding your rights as a tenant, visit Hamptons’ first-time renting guide.

Common mistakes to avoid when heating your home

Leaving heating on all night

It might seem logical to keep the heating on continuously, but in most cases, it’s unnecessary and costly. For most UK homes, it’s more efficient to set the heating to turn off overnight and switch back on shortly before you wake up.

Why it matters:

• Running the heating all night wastes energy once the house is already warm.
  
• It increases wear on your boiler and raises bills.
  
• Cooler overnight temperatures are actually better for sleep quality.

If it’s extremely cold, set your thermostat to a lower temperature, such as 16–18°C, to stop pipes from freezing while still saving energy.

Ignoring cold rooms

Cold rooms often signal poor insulation or blocked heat flow. Leaving them unchecked wastes energy and encourages damp.

Quick fixes:

• Bleed radiators and check boiler pressure.
  
• Seal gaps around windows, floors, and vents.
  
• Move furniture away from radiators to improve airflow.
  
• Add rugs or curtains for extra insulation.

If you plan to make any amendments to your rented home, ensure you have the permission of your landlord first.