How to Keep Your Home Warm Without a Heater

We all know that the cost of keeping our homes heated can be high. Central heating, fuel for wood burning stoves and electric fires can mount up in price.

When the weather is cold, the need to keep warm is essential. Those who may be susceptible to the cold may be those with poor circulation, the very young and the very old.

If we have a draughty house or we do the bare minimum to keep warm, we will use more energy and fuel when we put the heating on. But by insulating the home and doing a few things to keep cozy, we may have a more comfortable winter.

There are a few ways to eliminate draughs from your home. Some of which are quite simple. But it will make a big difference to the temperature indoors.

Draught excluders which are placed under doors will block the gaps where the cold air gets through.

By placing something which will block the draught, you will eliminate the cold and keep your rooms warmer. You are also keeping the warm air inside rather than allowing it to escape.

Draught excluders which are placed under doors tend to be long padded cushions. They are filled with foam, beads or sand and just sit under the door.

If you are going in and out of a room, you can fit an excluder under the door itself. This then fills the gap, but you can open the door from either side without removing the draught excluder.

If your windows are not double glazed, you might notice a cool breeze around them. Cool air comes in and warm air goes out, which means you are not saving energy from your heating.

If there are gaps around your window (especially if they are sash), you can place foam strips around the pane. The strips are adhesive and spongy, so you can still open and close the windows.

They are a cheap and efficient way to keep the house warm, without going to the expense of replacing the windows.

Brushes can be purchased from your local hardware store, and can help with draughs coming through small areas.

Ensure your letter box is sealed with brushes. When it's blowing a gale outside, you want to stay warm inside.

Brush strips are also an alternative way to seal gaps under doors. Simply screw the strip to the bottom of the door and it can be opened and closed with ease.

They come in different sizes and styles to fit to your doors.

If you want to spend a bit of money on your windows, you can either have them fully replaced, or have secondary glazing fitted.

Secondary glazing can be a cheaper option compared to double glazing and still have the same benefits.

Secondary glazing will stop draughs, help with insulation, cut down on noise pollution and add a bit of security to your home.

If you have original windows, such as Victorian sash or leaded, secondary glazing will add protection without removing the features.

An even cheaper option to secondary glazing is to use a secondary glazing film. This is made of cellophane and covers the whole window.

You simply stick it to the window frame and cut it down to size. Then by gently blasting hot air over it with a hairdryer, you tighten all the creases so it is invisible.

This film is a good temporary measure over the winter months, and it protects your windows from the cold and condensation.

However you are unable to open your windows, and the creases re-appear when the film stretches over time.

If you spend time working out where the draughs are coming from, you can find ways to eliminate them.

If you feel the cold coming in from floor boards, loft hatches or gaps under doors, find ways to block them.

Use fillers to fill in holes in external walls, or seal flooring. Put fully lined weighty curtains up, and pull across front and back doors and use in all of your rooms.

Find out if you can have cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. You may be entitled to a discount, depending on your circumstances. For example, low income families or the retired may be entitled.

If you want to fill gaps in walls, around pipes or around skirting boards, make sure you seek advice from someone who knows what they are doing. If you have cracks in external walls, find out what is causing the problem.

• Use thick fluffy rugs, or fit new carpets to help insulate the floor. Carpets are much warmer than tiles or wood.
• Buy fully lined curtains for each room, even if you have blinds or voile. Make sure they are long, but tuck them behind your radiator when you close them. Keep the cold out and the warm in.
• Keep the doors closed. Keep external doors closed and also internal doors. This will stop draughs going through the house.
• Place large book cases and cabinets on external walls to add extra insulation

It's not just about keeping your home warm. If you feel cold within yourself, everything will be harder to warm up! Try these tips:

• Layers of warm clothes. This includes jumpers, fluffy slippers, warm nightclothes and thick socks
• Blankets or Snuggies. If you are watching television in the evening, huddle under a blanket. If you have a family, huddle each other too!
• Hotties. Heat a cute soft toy designed to be warmed up in the microwave, and cuddle it to keep warm. Or place it in your bed at night.
• Hot drinks. Have warm milky drinks, hot water and lemon or warm fruity teas throughout the day and evening.
• Have a hot bath. It will warm you up on a cold evening.
• Move around! Run up and down the stairs, do some housework or a workout DVD. This will get the circulation moving and warm you up in no time!