Keep your home warm in winter – our top 10 tips
Updated on 14 November 2025 by:
Jessica Rawstron
Smart Energy Engineer, British Gas
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. With a few clever tricks, you can stay warm indoors, save energy, and some money too.
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.
What are the most common areas of heat escape?
When the weather gets colder, it’s surprising how much warmth can slip out of your home through tiny gaps, thin insulation, and openings in your walls, roof, floors, doors, and windows. These leaks can often be a big reason why heating bills are higher than expected, so it’s worth spending some time checking where heat might escape.
The main culprits are often poorly insulated ceilings, walls, and floors, as well as gaps around windows and doors, and open chimneys or fireplaces. Focusing on these areas can help you keep more warmth inside and reduce energy waste, making your home cosier and more efficient throughout 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. 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
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.
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 cover – it includes an annual boiler service at no extra cost.
6. Close the curtains
You won't be surprised to learn that lots of warmth escapes from your home through the windows. 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. Get personalised energy-efficiency tips
Better energy efficiency can mean lower energy bills – but when it comes to making your home greener, it can be confusing knowing where to start.
Enter Home Health Check, your personalised plan to help cut your home’s carbon footprint – and your energy bills. One of our experts will visit you at home to give you a detailed assessment of your home’s energy efficiency using thermal imagery – and tailored tips to improve it. They’ll answer all your questions and leave you a detailed report of their recommendations.
9. Get creative with your insulation
Use any spare foam pipe lagging as a door draught excluder - just cut a section to fit the bottom of your door, then slide it on to form a tight seal against the floor.
You could also 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.
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. And we can even let you know if you’re eligible for government funding to help with the cost of insulation.
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.