10 easy things to do to keep warm, and save money, this winter
It may be early October at the time of writing this, and still only getting just a wee bit chilly here in the UK, but we know temperatures are going to continue dropping, just as we can be equally sure our energy bills are going to continue rising….sigh.
So at the time of year when we might normally be reaching to turn our heating on, what are some alternative ways of keeping warm, and easing the burden on our bank balance at the same time?
1 . Layer up
Wearing warmer clothes is an obvious way to keep your body temperature up when the thermometer is dropping. But did you know that putting on several thin layers is more effective than one thicker one? That’s because the layers trap air between them which helps to maintain your body heat.
Layering the covers on your bed at night has the same effect. An extra blanket, or one over your duvet will help keep you cosy as you sleep.
2. Go to extremes
I’m referring, of course, to the extremes of your body - your feet and your head. Keeping them warm is an important way to maintain your body temperature. Thick socks or slippers make sure your feet stay snug, and, although I know it feels bonkers, wearing a warm hat will stop precious heat escaping from your head.
3. Don’t worry about how you look
If you thought donning a hat indoors was a little on the….quirky side. Then consider the plethora of body warming items you could drape yourself in. From a wearable sleeping bag (no, really. They’re a thing)
The Selk’bag Lite 6G Violet Cockatoo Sleeping bag suit. On sale at berryuseful for £59.99 at the time of writing
or maybe you’d prefer a blanket you can put on (no, really. Again)
Coral Fleece Wearable Blanket £16.99 from Debenhams
or perhaps a heated gilet (no….well, you get it)
Unisex Thermal Electric USB Heated Gilet £13.99 at the time of writing from Wowcher
I’m sure a quick google search will throw up all manner of others, so rummage away
4. Get moving
You can be pretty sure I’ll manage to find a way to include exercise in a blog, but it’s a genuinely beneficial way to warm yourself up when you’re feeling chilly, as well as, obviously, being good for you in umpteen other ways. It doesn’t have to be a full on work out (though do feel free to do that if you fancy), just something that raises your heart rate and therefore your temperature. A good old dance round the kitchen will do the trick.
5. Choose a room
If you’re only, or mainly, using one room in the house during the day, then consider heating just that room. The most cost-effective way is to use your central heating, adjusting the individual radiator thermostats to direct the heat where you want it. But before you do that, make sure to
6. Banish breezes
Draughts are the enemy of warmth, allowing pesky cold air to seep into your home and your bones. Getting rid of them will not only help you and your house to stay warmer, it’ll also help to bring down your energy bills. These are the key ways to deal with draughts:
Seal gaps around windows and doors
Use draught excluders along the bottom of doors
Use thermal or thick curtains and blinds
Put rugs on uncarpeted floorboards
Cover keyholes on outside doors
Put a brush strip or cover over your letter box
7. Boil up a brew
A hot drink is guaranteed to give you a slow-building warm glow inside. Hot food will do the same, especially a hearty soup or stew. Or how about a jacket potato? Warming your body from the inside is as helpful for keeping snug as keeping it cosy on the outside.
8. Fill a bottle…
Whilst you’ve boiled the kettle for your cuppa, use the rest of the water to fill up a hot water bottle. They’re one of the most budget-friendly and effective heating devices, as well as being wonderfully comforting to snuggle up to (with?) I’m a big fan of my extra long hot water bottle which is brilliant for wrapping around me, and especially warming and helpful when I’m not just chilly but have an aching back, neck or shoulders (the trick is to get one with a strap so you can tie it around yourself).
Extra long water bottle with strap £13.99 from Ebay
9….then take it to bed
Getting into a warm bed on a cold night is right up there with life’s greatest pleasures as far as I’m concerned. But on a more prosaic note, getting and staying warm in bed is also helpful for having a better night’s sleep. Warming the bed up first with a hot water bottle, and wearing cosy pjs and bed socks (paying attention to those extremities again) all contribute towards a restorative rest.
I would add, a warm bed is a great place to work or read during the day too. Just saying.
10. Plug in
A bed-warming alternative to a hot water bottle, and my preferred method of getting cosy under the covers, is a heated blanket. There are loads of different kinds, but they’re all pretty cost-effective to run. Most will have at least two or three heat settings, and obviously the higher the heat setting, the more power you use. According to research from Uswitch, an electric blanket consumes 100 watts of energy to warm a double bed before switching to sleep mode. Based on current energy prices, it would cost approximately 24p to run an electric blanket for one hour a day for seven days.
In case you were wondering, and even if you weren’t, a survey of 2,000 UK adults by French clothing specialists Damart, found layering up clothing was the most popular way to keep warm, with 62 per cent of the nation doing this. Using blankets (53%), regular hot drinks (30%), and hot water bottles (28%) were other popular choices, whilst one in six (16%) said they not only wear hats indoors, but gloves and scarves too.
What are your top tips for keeping warm? Do share them in the comments.
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