Keep your home warm in winter – our top 10 tips

Looking for some simple ways to stay cosy when the temperature drops? We’ve created our top 10 winter tips so you can keep your home comfortable, without having to rush to turn the central heating on. From sealing gaps around doors and windows, closing your curtains, bleeding your radiators and getting your boiler serviced - these small steps can make a surprisingly big difference. 

Your winter warm home checklist

Use this handy checklist to tick off these easy ways to make your home warmer and more energy efficient in winter.

10 ways to keep your home warm this winter

1. Heat your home, not your walls

Cover a thin sheet of card with tinfoil and place it behind your radiators (if you're feeling particularly crafty you can make it T-shaped so it sits on your radiator brackets). It'll reflect the heat back into your rooms, meaning they warm up faster and retain more heat. Some of the heat from your radiators can be absorbed by poorly insulated walls. Reflecting it back into the room can help you get more warmth where you need it. If DIY isn't your thing, you can also buy ready-made foil insulation.

2. Pop on some pipe-lagging 

Pipe lagging (insulating hot water pipes with foam tubes) keeps the water inside your pipes hotter for longer and prevents pipes freezing. It also makes your heating and hot water much more efficient. You can buy pipe lagging from any DIY store and fit it in seconds, no tools required.

3. Draught-proof your home

Warm air often escapes through gaps around doors and windows, making draught proofing one of the quickest ways to keep your home warmer and reduce wasted energy. Filling in the gaps around windows and doors can help you save on your heating bills, so spending a few pounds on a window draught excluder and insulating tape is a great investment. Fitting it is a breeze too, just make sure it sits snugly. You can use any spare foam pipe lagging as a door draught excluder too. Just cut a section to fit the bottom of your door, then slide it on to help seal the gap against the floor.

4. Bleed your radiators

Check your radiators are heating to the top. If they aren't, the chances are you need to learn how to bleed a radiator. It sounds a bit medieval, but all it means is releasing the trapped air at the top, which is stopping the hot water from rising. Simply use a radiator bleed key (about £1 in any DIY shop) to open the little valve at the top. You'll hear air hiss and as soon as you see a drip of water, close it up again. Bingo. Energy-efficient radiators.

5. Get your boiler serviced

Boilers, like people, like to be looked after. Give yours an annual boiler service and it will last longer and work more efficiently – if you don't, it could cost you money. Don't forget, it's vital that you use a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. Or for real peace of mind, why not get HomeCare boiler cover – it includes an annual boiler service at no extra cost.

6. Close the curtains

Windows are one of the most common areas for heat loss in winter, particularly if your home has older glazing. If you've got curtains, close them before darkness hits or while you're out of the house and keep that lovely heat where it should be – inside. Better still, get yourself a pair of thermal curtains.

7. Use the oven to heat the house

Once dinner comes out of the oven, we all close the door again. But why waste that heat? Leave the oven door open and let the heat transfer slowly into your kitchen, it'll help keep your house warm while you eat. And, naturally, keep the kids and pets away from the door.

8. Keep your radiators clear

To get the most from your heating, try to keep the area around your radiators clear. Furniture, clothes airers and long curtains can trap heat and stop it reaching the rest of the room, making it harder for warmth to spread around your home.

9. Get creative with your insulation

Heat can escape through your roof, walls, floors and even unused chimneys. Adding insulation can help keep more warmth inside your home and stop energy going to waste. You can use spray foam insulation to fill any cracks and gaps in your walls or at the back of cupboards. Just be sure to check the can for all safety precautions.

And if you really want to take it up a level, we can help with both loft insulation and cavity wall insulation so you can keep all that lovely warmth from escaping.

10. Know your ideal temperature

It’s easy to turn the thermostat all the way up when it's freezing cold but what’s the ideal temperature for your home? Aim to set your main room thermostat somewhere between 18°C and 21°C. It's also a good idea to set your thermostat to one temperature and then use a timer to turn it on and off when you need the heating most. That way you won't waste excess energy from leaving the heating on too high, for too long.

Using a smart thermostat, such as a Hive Thermostat, to control your heating from your phone or tablet makes saving energy even easier.

Get help with your energy bill

If you’re looking for support, visit our dedicated page for practical ways we can help with your energy bills.

For free, independent and practical energy advice, you can contact Citizens Advice. You can also speak to them directly on 0808 223 1133. For the Welsh language helpline, it's 0808 223 1144.

StepChange Debt Charity are debt experts that offer free, confidential advice and practical ways to manage debt. You can also call them on 0800 138 1111.

The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity whose mission is to help people tackle energy debt through grants, expert guidance and hands-on support. Funded by us, the charity also runs local community projects offering free energy and money advice for everyone.

Stay warm and energy efficient this winter with British Gas

Keeping cosy this winter doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with simple, budget-friendly hacks like sealing drafts, closing curtains, and making the most of your existing heating system. Once you’ve taken care of the basics, you can think about longer-term upgrades like adding insulation, replacing windows, or even exploring renewable energy options. By starting small and building up gradually, you’ll stay warm, save energy, and keep your home comfy all season long. A little effort now can make a big difference to both your comfort and your bills this winter.

Want to know more?

Discover lots more helpful articles to help you manage your home energy and services on The Source.