Let’s be honest, nobody enjoys the sinking feeling of checking their energy bill after a particularly cold month. But before you crank up the thermostat and resign yourself to financial ruin, let’s talk about smarter, more efficient ways to stay warm. No matter if you favour modern or traditional heating styles, this guide will point out everything from simple radiator hacks to home insulation tricks, as well as practical tips to keep cosy without sending your heating costs through the roof.
Understanding heat retention: How to make the most of your heating
The first step to staying warm isn’t blasting the heating – it’s making the most of what you’ve already got. Think of it like trying to keep tea hot in a thermos rather than leaving it in an open mug (or, if you’re anything like me, making a cuppa, forgetting about it, then microwaving it three times). Here’s how to trap and retain heat effectively:
- Close doors between rooms – Keep warm air where you need it and stop heat from drifting into spaces you’re not using (looking at you, spare bedroom that’s basically a storage unit now).
- Use soft furnishings – Thick curtains, cushions, and upholstered furniture help absorb and retain heat. Plus, they make your living room look like a Pinterest dream.
- Rearrange your furniture – If your sofa is blocking the radiator, you’re essentially heating the back of it instead of the room. Unless your furniture has suddenly developed the ability to feel the cold, move it out of the way.
- Time your heating wisely – Running your heating on a lower setting for longer is often more efficient than blasting it out in short bursts. Time it right in line with your morning and evening heating routines. Your house is not a kettle – don’t expect it to warm up instantly.
Radiator hacks for maximum efficiency
Your radiators work hard, but are they working smart? Here are some easy ways to squeeze every bit of warmth out of them for less to help you stay warm without turning up the thermostat:
- Use radiator reflector panels – These sit behind your radiators and reflect heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through the walls. It’s like giving your heating a second chance to do its job.
- Bleed your radiators – If your radiators are making weird noises or have cold spots, they could have trapped air, stopping them from heating efficiently. A quick bleed can fix this, and our guide on how to bleed a radiator explains just how to go about it. (We recommend bleeding radiators in summer, ahead of the colder months of the year.)
- Keep them clean – Dust and grime can reduce a radiator’s efficiency. Give them a simple wipe down to ensure maximum heat output, a particularly easy cleaning method for the likes of industrial-style radiators. Again, we’ve got you covered with our tips on how to clean a radiator. And, as an added bonus, you get to pretend you’re doing serious DIY while actually just wielding a damp cloth.
- Install thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) – Thermostatic radiator valves, or TRVs, allow you to control the temperature of individual rooms, so you’re not wasting energy heating spaces you rarely use. Ideal for homes where one person is always “freezing” while another asks if they’re joking and insists it’s “absolutely roasting”.
Smart heating: How automation can keep you warm and save energy
If you’re still relying on manually adjusting your heating, you’re missing out on some serious savings. Smart thermostats and heating automation help you stay warm only when you need to be, making your system far more efficient. Here’s how:
- Geofencing – Some smart thermostats detect when you leave or arrive home, adjusting the temperature accordingly. No more heating an empty house while you’re out and about.
- Zonal heating – Pairing your smart thermostat with TRVs lets you control the heat room by room, meaning the guest bedroom isn’t getting toasty for no reason (unless you’ve got ghosts who appreciate warmth).
- Learning algorithms – The best smart thermostats learn your habits and adjust heating schedules automatically, so you’re not heating an empty house. You can also set an appropriate morning and evening heating routine to stick to if you’d prefer. They’re basically like that one friend who remembers your plain Maccies order but in radiator form.
The role of thermal curtains, rugs and draught stoppers
If your house leaks heat like a sieve, no amount of radiator tweaking will enable you to keep warm. Luckily, a few well-placed soft furnishings can make a huge difference:
- Thermal curtains – Heavy, lined curtains act as an extra barrier between your cosy room and the freezing world outside. Like a big toasty puffer jacket for the house in terms of home insulation Ideal for supporting the efforts of your living room and bedroom radiators especially.
- Draught stoppers – Doors and windows are notorious for letting in cold air. A simple draught excluder can prevent icy gusts from sneaking in, meaning you won’t have to sleep wrapped up like a burrito.
- Rugs on wooden or tile floors – Hard floors can sap the warmth out of a room. Laying down a thick rug adds insulation and keeps your feet warm too. Plus, they’re great for hiding stains from that time you dropped an entire plate of spaghetti.
Winter-proofing your home: Insulation and sealing gaps
If your home isn’t properly insulated, you might as well be throwing money out the window, quite literally. Here are some easy ways to keep the heat in:
- Seal up gaps – Check around windows, doors, and floorboards for draughts and use sealant or weather stripping to block them.
- Insulate your loft – Heat rises, which means a poorly insulated roof lets warmth escape straight into the cold outdoors. Loft insulation is one of the best investments for energy efficiency (and no, that dusty box of Christmas decorations doesn’t count as insulation).
- Consider double glazing – If you’re still living with single-glazed windows, you’re missing out on major heat retention. Look to invest in double or triple glazing when possible if you don’t already have it.
Keep warm, save money, stay smart with BestHeating
Staying warm doesn’t have to mean higher heating bills. By making a few simple changes, like optimising your radiators, using soft furnishings for insulation, and embracing smart heating, you can keep your home toasty without burning through your savings. Plus, a few thick socks and a hot drink never hurt either.
So before you reach for that thermostat dial, try these heat-saving hacks instead. Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you!
Wondering which hacks to steer clear of, this winter? Check out our post on 10 home heating hacks to avoid.
Let us know your methods for keeping warm without cranking up the thermostat to the max in the comments, or reach us via Instagram, Facebook or X.
John is a Research Specialist for the Best Heating Advice Centre, where for over nine years he has dedicated himself to demystifying home heating for our customers. He specialises in creating clear, data-driven guides and how-to articles by collaborating directly with our team of certified heating experts and product engineers.
His work, built on a foundation of journalistic research, has helped millions of readers make confident and informed decisions about their home heating. When he’s not breaking down the heat output differentials from radiators to heated towel rails, John fancies himself as a fine football and music connoisseur.
