Older homes can be so beautiful, there’s definitely a charm to them that newer houses can sometimes be missing so it makes sense why lots of us choose to buy them. But big rooms high ceilings and older windows can all make it harder to stay cozy once the temperature drops. And when you’re inside more at this time of year, you really start to notice those chilly spots more!
There’s a lot you can do though without ripping the house apart or spending loads on major upgrades. Small changes can make a noticeable difference to how warm your home feels day to day at this time of year. And it doesn’t need to cost much at all, which is the main thing when you’re watching the bills. Here are some easy ways to keep the heat in and stay comfortable without touching the thermostat more than you need to.
Insulation
Older houses can sometimes lose heat faster than you can get it into the room. This is so frustrating when you’re trying to keep bills down. You don’t need to think about anything drastic like ripping walls open to add insulation though. Just start off with the areas you can actually reach as it will still go a long way.
If your loft is easy to access, then just make sure the insulation up there is in good condition. A lot of heat rises straight out of the roof otherwise and topping it up is something you can do bit by bit if you’re on a budget. Pipe insulation is cheap and takes hardly any time to fit. It’s worth doing, especially if you’ve got pipes running through cold spaces like a cellar or an unheated cupboard. Otherwise, any warmth you’ve actually paid for is just leaking away!
Heating
If you have regular gas radiators then this kind of heating system can work perfectly well. You just need to make sure it’s doing what it should before the temperature drops. Bleeding the radiators is always worth doing before you start using the heating properly again. Trapped air stops them warming up fully and it only takes a few minutes with a little key.
If you ever find one’s hot at the bottom but cold at the top, then it’s well worth taking the time to give it a go. One of the simplest tricks is to move anything that could be blocking the heat, radiators hidden behind a big armchair or long curtains are basically heating up the furniture instead of the room. Even moving things around a little can make more difference than you’d think.
Reflective radiator panels are cheap as well and they stick to the wall behind the radiator. They bounce heat back into the room instead of letting it disappear into the wall.
Soft furnishings
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make a home feel warmer, and older houses really do benefit from a layered look. Rugs help more than you realize because hard floors get cold so fast. Even putting a rug in the area you sit the most will make the room feel more comfortable.
If you’ve got a sofa up against an outside wall then having a big throw on the back of it helps stop that cold feeling when you sit down. And of course it makes everything look a bit cozier, too.
Thick curtains are worth having in rooms you use a lot, they block out draughts from old windows. They also make a noticeable difference when the temperature drops at night. You don’t necessarily need to go out and buy new ones if you’re on a budget. You can always add a thermal liner behind the curtains you already have. It makes a big difference for not much money.
Bedding is another thing that’s easy to switch out as soon as the weather turns. You’ll feel the benefit straight away on the first cold night. Swap out to a thicker duvet and maybe some warmer sheets to take the edge off that moment when you first get into bed. Fleece or brushed cotton are always good and they’re in loads of shops when winter comes around.
A hot water bottle never hurts either, it keeps you warm without having to heat the whole house when you only want to be comfortable in bed anyway.
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