Make sure you’re not losing heat from your home (Picture: Getty Images)
As the UK endures a harsh cold snap, many households find their homes uncomfortably chilly despite central heating.
Beyond mere discomfort, cold homes contribute to numerous health problems, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, arthritis, and mental health disorders.
Investing in practical home improvements not only enhances comfort but also protects physical and mental wellbeing, reducing healthcare strain and lowering energy bills — a crucial balance amid rising living costs.
Here are the eight practical improvements recommended to help UK households stay warm, healthy, and energy-efficient this winter.
Replace curtains
According to the Energy Saving Trust, around 18% of a home’s heat loss escapes through windows.
While ordinary blinds offer poor insulation, thermal curtains create a heat trap over glass surfaces, reducing heat escape and lowering heating bills.
A bonus tip is to keep curtains open during daylight to absorb sunlight warmth and close them at dusk to trap heat inside.
Invest in soft furnishings
Hard floor materials like wood or laminate can allow cold to seep through, but large, dense rugs act as additional insulation layers and block draughts from the floor.
Meanwhile, warm textiles like wool throws, chunky cushions, and velvet accessories add physical warmth as well as a cosy aesthetic for autumn and winter.
Rugs and throws can keep a room warm (Picture: Getty Images)
Install new flooring
Older homes often suffer from uneven floorboards or gaps that undermine insulation efforts.
Installing high tog-rated underlays beneath carpets or flooring creates a thermal barrier that prevents heat loss through the floor.
This simple change can noticeably increase warmth at ground level, where cold air tends to settle.
Plug hidden draughts
Small gaps around door frames, window sashes, loft hatches, and unused chimneys act like open windows for cold air.
Using weatherproof strips, draught excluders, or chimney balloons can seal these leaks efficiently.
Eliminating draughts can significantly improve indoor comfort by preventing cold air infiltration and, according to the Energy Saving Trust, can save £40-£60 annually.
Plugging hidden draughts saves money on heating costs (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Keep radiators free
It can be tempting to put your sofa next to a radiator to keep you warm while watching TV on a winter evening, but this could be making the overall temperature of your home colder.
Radiators blocked by furniture trap heat behind them, reducing circulation and leaving rooms cold despite the heating being on.
Therefore, you should avoid placing sofas, beds, or large furniture directly against radiators.
Leaving a clear space allows heat to move freely and makes the whole room feel warmer.
Improve insulation
Many UK homes have inadequate or deteriorated loft and cavity insulation.
Increasing loft insulation thickness from 120mm to the recommended 270mm dramatically reduces heat loss through the roof.
The Energy Saving Trust says installing 270mm of new loft insulation can save up to £230 a year on heating costs.
Using advanced eco-friendly materials like sprayed cork offers better thermal performance and environmental benefits.
The recommended thickness for loft insulation is 270mm (Picture: Getty Images)
Replace old boilers
Boilers older than 10 years run less efficiently than newer models, wasting fuel and money.
Upgrading to a modern condensing boiler can save around £260 annually on fuel bills.
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Meanwhile, servicing your boiler once a year keeps it operating efficiently and extends its lifespan.
Embrace heating improvements
Simple maintenance like bleeding radiators and installing reflector panels behind them can save up to £25 annually on heating costs.
You can get both radiator keys and reflector panels from most DIY shops, and doing these two things will make radiators more efficient and prevent heat from being lost into the walls.
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Meanwhile, programmable heating controls and room thermostats allow you to control the temperature of each radiator, so you’re only heating the rooms you need, estimated to reduce bills by around £110 per year.
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