Winter warmth: how to cut costs and keep cosy

What did humans do to keep warm before they learned to harness energy such as gas and electricity?



A combination of log-fires and multiple layers of sheepskin clothing probably played a big part in many people’s winter-warmth plans hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Indeed, it’s believed that early humans were harnessing and controlling fire to keep warm up to 125,000 years ago.



But in the 21st century, central heating and gas fires are the order of the day. This means we can relax and put our feet up wearing little more than a pair of pyjamas – and there’s no need to go out foraging for firewood either.



Whilst the UK seasons are far from predictable, outside temperatures approaching ‘freezing’ are fairly common for up to two or three months at a time – it’s fair to assume the cost of heating a home over the cold, bleak winter period can amount to rather a lot. So what can people do to ensure they’re spending no more than necessary to keep warm?



Well, there are a number of simple steps you can take to ensure you’re not wasting energy – and cutting waste means you’ll also be cutting costs.

Firstly though, you should insulate your hot water heater with a specially-made blanket, which are inexpensive and will ensure your water is kept hot for longer without having to reheat it. And if you properly insulate your home – including windows, doors and attics – this can create even further savings.



Next up, a programmable thermostat will ensure your home is warm at the most important times – when you’re at home. You can time it so you’re house is warm for when you get up for work and so it turns itself off just before you leave for work.



Crucially, you should also think about whether you need your heating on when you’re asleep? A thick duvet should be all you need to keep warm in bed and by timing the heating to go off at bed-time, you can save yourself a lot of energy and subsequently a lot of money.



You can also turn your thermostat down by a few degrees. If you’re nice and cosy at 20 degrees Celsius, the chances are you won’t feel much of a difference at 17 degrees Celsius – three degrees each day over the course of a winter can mean you save a lot of energy.



It’s also worth having a word with your gas supplier to see if they can recommend any ways to cut your costs permanently, not just for winter. They may suggest switching to direct debit or e-bills, which can also help lower your energy expenditure, ensuring you’re not wasting money needlessly.