Winter is when most of us start weighing up two things at once: keeping the house cosy, and keeping the energy bill under control. The good news is you don’t have to choose between the two. Before you reach for the thermostat, there are several easy, low-cost ways to keep the house warmer this winter that can make a real difference to how a room feels — and how much you spend heating it.
Here are 6 tips to try first.
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#1. Wear the Right Clothing
It’s much easier to warm yourself up than it is to warm up an entire room. So before you touch the thermostat, dress for the season.
Cosy boots or slippers over thermal leggings, topped with a warm jumper, will keep you comfortable without needing the heating any higher. It sounds obvious, but it’s genuinely one of the most effective (and free) ways to stay warm at home.
#2. Layer Your Blankets the Right Way
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How you layer your blankets can make a real difference to how warm your bed feels overnight. If you want to maximise warmth, the key is that several thinner blankets trap heat better than one or two thick ones.
Multiple layers hold warm air more effectively, so you stay toasty for longer. If you have a wool blanket, it works best sandwiched between your quilt and your sheets, as wool is particularly good at trapping heat.
If you share a bed, it’s worth each person having their own blanket. It stops that chilly draught between you both — and puts an end to any late-night blanket-stealing.
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#3. Use a Smart Mist Humidifier
Humid air tends to feel warmer than dry air, which is why a humidifier in your bedroom or living room can make a room feel cosier without any extra heat.
Running the heating dries out the air in your home, which can leave skin, hair and even houseplants feeling the effects. A humidifier adds moisture back in, and some parents find it helps with the stuffy nose and dry throat that often come with winter colds.
Many smart humidifiers also come with automation features, so you can set them to run at particular times without having to think about it.
#4. Use Rugs on Floorboards and Tiles
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A noticeable amount of heat can escape through an uninsulated floor, so adding rugs or carpet to floorboards and tiles is a simple way to cut down on that heat loss.
It’s a practical fix, and it gives you the chance to freshen up a room’s look at the same time — a good project for a grey winter weekend.
#5. Invest in Your Insulation
A significant share of a home’s heat loss happens through the ceiling, which makes ceiling insulation one of the most effective long-term upgrades you can make.
Good insulation isn’t cheap to install, but it pays off over time — keeping the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer, so you get the benefit all year round. Think of it as an investment rather than an expense.
#6. Use Ceiling Fans in Reverse
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Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer. Most have a switch that reverses the direction the blades spin. Set to turn slowly clockwise, the blades draw cool air upward and push the warm air that naturally rises back down into the room.
It won’t heat a room the way a heater or air conditioner will, but the gentle air movement can make the space feel noticeably warmer — and it means you can run your heating at a slightly lower setting while still feeling comfortable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to turn the heating up if I try these tips?
Not necessarily. These are all ways to make a room feel warmer without relying solely on the thermostat. Many families find that combining a few of them means they can keep the heating a degree or two lower and still feel comfortable.
Which of these tips makes the biggest difference?
It varies by home. Insulation tends to have the biggest long-term impact but comes with an upfront cost, while clothing, blankets and rugs are free or low-cost changes you can make today.
Can ceiling fans really help in winter?
Yes — used in reverse (check for a switch on the fan body), they push warm air that has risen to the ceiling back down into the room, helping it feel more comfortable without raising the actual temperature.
Is a humidifier worth it just for warmth?
A humidifier won’t raise the temperature, but humid air does feel warmer than dry air at the same temperature, so many people notice a difference — plus it can ease dry skin and stuffy noses that often come with winter heating.
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- 21 Family-Friendly Environmental Actions to Introduce in Your Home
Save This for Later
Winter has a habit of throwing up the same questions every year. Save this article or share it with a family member who’s always first to complain about the cold — it’s handy to have on hand once the temperature drops.
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