Warm home: How to Keep Your House Warm in Winter: A Practical Guide to Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

As winter settles in and temperatures drop, the charm of frosty mornings and cozy evenings is often accompanied by a not-so-welcome reality—rising heating bills. Many people reach for extra blankets and jumpers, but there are far more effective ways to keep your home warm, reduce energy use, and cut costs.

With energy prices remaining high, it’s more important than ever to make your home as energy efficient as possible. Whether you're a homeowner or a tenant, there are practical steps you can take to improve your home's warmth and comfort.

Step 1: Draught-Proof Your Home

Unwanted draughts are one of the simplest problems to fix—and one of the most cost-effective.

• Why it matters: Around 18% of heat is lost through windows and 3% through doors.

• Solutions:

  • DIY fixes: Install draught-proofing strips around doors and windows.

  • Professional help: Consider having your home professionally sealed for maximum efficiency.

  • Additional savings: Fit a draught excluder in unused chimneys.

Estimated savings:

• Up to £40/year in Great Britain (GB), £45 in Northern Ireland (NI) for doors and windows

• Up to £55/year in GB, £65 in NI by draught-proofing chimneys

Step 2: Insulate Your Hot Water Pipes

Pipe insulation helps reduce heat loss and protects your pipes from freezing and bursting in cold weather.

• DIY method: Use foam lagging (pipe insulation tubes), which slip over your pipes with minimal effort.

• Cost: Around £18 to install.

• Benefits: Keeps water hotter for longer and lowers the risk of expensive repairs.

Estimated savings:

• £5/year in GB, £6/year in NI

Step 3: Bleed Radiators and Use Reflective Panels

Air trapped inside radiators reduces their efficiency.

• Bleeding radiators: Use a radiator key to release air and restore heating performance.

• Reflector panels: Install heat-reflecting panels behind radiators to bounce warmth back into the room instead of losing it through walls.

• Pro tip: Keep furniture and covers away from radiators to allow proper heat flow.

Estimated savings:

• Up to £25/year in both GB and NI

Step 4: Upgrade Your Heating Controls

Modern heating controls give you more control over your energy use.

• Types:

  • Room thermostats: Set and maintain room temperature

  • Programmers: Schedule heating times to match your routine

  • TRVs (Thermostatic Radiator Valves): Set temperatures in individual rooms

• Impact: Only heat the rooms you use, when you need them.

Estimated savings:

• Up to £110/year in GB, £120 in NI if no controls are currently in use

Step 5: Improve Hot Water Cylinder Insulation

Even if your cylinder has some insulation, topping it up can improve efficiency.

• Upgrade: Increase insulation from 25mm to 80mm using a jacket.

• DIY option: Easily available at DIY stores and simple to fit.

Estimated savings:

• £40/year in GB, £45 in NI

Step 6: Top Up Loft Insulation

A poorly insulated loft is a major source of heat loss.

• Recommended depth: 270mm

• DIY or professional: Easy for most DIYers unless the loft is damp or complex.

Estimated savings:

• From 120mm to 270mm: Save £20/year in GB, £25 in NI

• If no insulation: Save £230/year in GB, £260 in NI

Step 7: Upgrade Your Boiler

Boilers over 10 years old are significantly less efficient than modern condensing models.

• When to replace: Consider upgrading if your boiler is G-rated.

• Annual maintenance: If you already have a modern boiler, a yearly service keeps it running efficiently.

Estimated savings:

• £250/year in GB, £280 in NI when replacing a G-rated with an A-rated model

Step 8: Insulate Your Walls

Wall insulation is one of the most impactful changes you can make.

Cavity Walls (homes built after 1920)

• Can be filled with insulation foam

• Savings: £240/year in GB, £270 in NI

Solid Walls (homes built before 1920)

• Require internal or external insulation

• Higher cost but bigger savings: £320/year in GB, £370 in NI

Key Areas to Insulate for Maximum Effect

1. Walls

About one-third of heat loss in homes occurs through uninsulated walls.

2. Loft/Roof

Heat rises—insulating your loft prevents it escaping through the roof.

3. Floors

Insulate ground floors (especially timber ones) by laying mineral wool between joists. Use rugs or carpets as a quick fix.

4. Tanks, Pipes, and Radiators

Insulating water tanks and pipes reduces heat loss. Use reflector panels behind radiators to return heat into rooms.

5. Draughts

Block gaps around windows, doors, floorboards, and chimneys to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.

Financial Support for Home Energy Improvements

Energy efficiency upgrades can involve upfront costs, but there is help available:

• Scotland: Home Energy Scotland – check eligibility for grants and advice

• Wales: Nest scheme – free improvements for qualifying households

• Northern Ireland: NI Energy Service – including Affordable Warmth Scheme

Final Thoughts

Staying warm this winter doesn’t have to mean sky-high energy bills. By taking simple, practical steps—from sealing draughts to upgrading heating systems—you can make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient. And with financial support available across the UK, investing in insulation and heating upgrades is more accessible than ever.