We can’t control the weather, but we can insulate our home to keep it warmer, and save money in the process.
When winter hits, energy bills can rise fast. Colder snaps and damper weather don’t help, and when we’re renting, big insulation jobs usually aren’t an option.
The good news is a few simple, low-cost fixes can still make a real difference.
Check for free insulation help first
Before spending anything, it’s worth checking whether we can get help. The Great British Insulation Scheme has closed, but some support is still available through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). This works through energy suppliers, local councils and approved installers, and can sometimes cover things like loft insulation or draught-proofing.
There isn’t one simple application, so it’s best to start with our energy supplier or local council. If permission is needed, landlords are often happy to agree, as the work can improve the property at little or no cost to them.
MoneySavingExpert has a detailed guide explaining how these schemes work and where to start.
Block draughts around doors and floors
Draughts make our homes feel colder than they should, but they’re often one of the cheapest and easiest things to fix.
Doors and windows are the main culprits. Self-adhesive draught-proofing strips can be fitted around frames to block gaps without tools, and are easy to remove when we move out. For the bottom of doors, draught excluders are a quick win, or we can make our own using old towels or fabric (just not on internal doors).
Curtains can help too. Thick or thermal curtains over doors and windows help keep warm air in, especially in the evenings.
Floors are another sneaky source of cold air. Rugs or carpet offcuts help stop cold air rising and make rooms feel cosier straight away. Second-hand sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace or local charity shops often have options for just a few pounds.
The Energy Saving Trust has more practical tips on tackling those easy-to-miss draughty spots around the home.
Use double-glazing film
Our homes lose a lot of heat through draughty windows. For those of us living in older properties, there’s a high chance we’ll have single-glazed windows. Double glazing is a very expensive option, but double glazing film is cheap as chips, and does almost as good a job. The film is placed over the window pane and then neatened up with a hairdryer, which removes bubbles and wrinkles.
Which? estimates we could save around £30 a year when it’s fitted properly. And because the room holds heat better, many of us can turn the thermostat down by 1°C without it feeling colder.
Bleed the radiators
If our home uses radiators, bleeding them can make them more efficient and generate more heat, without raising our energy bills. If our radiators have any cold spots, or take a long time to heat up, they may well need bleeding.
Another sign they need bleeding is if they are noisy when first turned on – a sign of trapped air. It’s recommended that we bleed our radiators once a year at least, even if they’re working fine. It’s an easy job, with just a few steps, that anyone can do. British Gas has a step by step guide to bleeding your radiators, here.
If we follow these few, simple steps, our homes will be warmer as a result, and our energy bills will be lower.
