Tips on keeping warm
Here are some tips to help you keep warm this winter.
Layer clothes to keep in the heat
Wear extra layers in the house – jumpers, cardigans, leggings, thermals, socks etc. anything that will keep you warm and potentially let you keep the house a few degrees cooler.
Get electric heated blankets or heat pads or a hot water bottle
There are lots of options to get some extra warmth. Consider getting an:
- electric blanket or electric gilet
- electric heat pad
- USB gloves / USB or reusable hand warmers
- heated insoles or electric footwarmer
- hot water bottle or microwaveable wheat bag.
E.g. Get an electric heated blanket for the night – instead of keeping the whole house warm in the night, everyone could use heated blankets instead which use far less energy. Also consider sleeping with an extra layer on and double the blankets.
Eat regularly and have at least one hot meal a day
The NH says eating regularly will help keep you warm. Have one hot meal a day and also drink hot drinks regularly. Consider homemade soup and porridge for money saving options.
Keep your feet warm with thermal socks, slippers and rugs
It's said that if your feet are cold, the rest of you will feel cold too. Wearing thermal socks or slippers can be essential to staying warm inside. Also consider putting down rugs and bathmats to help your feet stay warm.
The floor is usually the coldest part of the house. Putting your feet up on a stool or similar can help them stay that little bit warmer while you're sitting down.
Hot water bottle or heated pad in a sleeping bag
When sitting down, consider putting your legs in a sleeping bag to keep out draughts. For extra warmth, put a hot water bottle or electric heat pad at the bottom.
Warm up by moving around
Gentle exercise can help you stay warm, so try and move around once an hour.
Warning: Turning off central heating can cause its own issues
Not heating your home properly can contribute to damp/mould issues and frozen pipes if the weather's cold, which can result in hundreds of pounds of damage.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends ventilating rooms and having the heating on to some degree during winter.