How to Keep a Home Warm in Winter?

Where Do Houses Lose the Most Heat in London?

Before tackling how to keep a poorly insulated house warm, it helps to know where heat is escaping. London’s mix of old and new homes comes with its own challenges, especially since older properties tend to lose heat more easily.

Here’s a quick rundown of the main heat loss culprits, if you want to know how to keep a home warm in winter:

Windows and Doors

Windows alone account for about 18% of heat loss, while doors add another 3%. Single-glazed windows and gaps around old door frames are common in older homes, letting in drafts and making it harder to keep warm.

Walls

If you live in an older home with solid walls, a lot of heat could be escaping. Even homes with cavity walls might not have enough insulation, meaning warm air slips through your walls and out into the cold.

Roof and Loft Spaces

Warm air rises, which makes your roof a big hotspot for heat loss. If your loft isn’t well-insulated, all that warm air is just escaping into the cold outdoors.

Floors

Uninsulated floors, especially wooden ones, let cold air creep in from below. This doesn’t just make your home chillier. It also means you’re using more energy to stay comfortable.

Knowing where your home loses heat is the first step to deciding where to start when it comes to keeping warm at home this winter.

How To Keep Home Warmer In Winter? Simple DIY Steps

Draught-Proofing Your Property

Draught-proofing is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to stay warm at home without cranking up the heat. Start by having a good look around your house during the day and check for any gaps around windows, doors, or other openings where cold air might sneak in.

• Windows and doors: Grab some draught-proofing strips and stick them around the edges. If you’ve got older sash windows, which are common in London), it might be worth calling in the pros for a proper draught-proofing job.
  
  Book our services:
  Sash window draught proofing solutions – for improved energy efficiency and comfort
  Draught proofing doors services – to seal gaps and reduce heat loss
• Chimney Draught-Proofing: A chimney draught excluder is a game-changer. It stops warm air from escaping and cold air from coming in and makes your home way more comfortable.
• Floorboard Gaps: If you've got gaps between them, use some flexible sealant or beading to seal them up. It’s especially helpful in older homes with original wooden flooring, keeping that chilly air from creeping in through the floors.

Insulating Your Hot Water System

Insulating your hot water pipes is a quick and easy way on how to keep a home warm in winter and cut down on energy use. Just grab some foam insulation tubes from a DIY store and slide them over any exposed hot water pipes, especially in chilly spots like basements or lofts. It also helps prevent frozen pipes in winter, which could save you hundreds in emergency repairs.

Maximising Radiator Efficiency

• Radiator Panels: Try installing reflective panels behind your radiators. They bounce heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through the walls. If your home has uninsulated solid walls, this simple trick could make your rooms feel noticeably warmer.
• Furniture Positioning: Don’t let your furniture hog all the heat! Keep sofas, curtains, and other items away from radiators so the warmth can circulate properly around your space.
• Radiator Bleeding: Noticing cold spots on your radiators? That’s a sign of trapped air messing with the efficiency. Grab a radiator key, bleed out the air, and you’ll have even heat from top to bottom in no time.
  
  For more guidance, check out our blog: ‘Radiator Cold at the Bottom?’, a helpful read to understand the cause and what you can do about it.

Enhancing Insulation with Soft Furnishings

• Heavy Curtains: Good curtains can cut heat loss by up to 40%. Just close them at dusk to keep the warm air in and stop heat from escaping through windows overnight. For extra warmth, try thermal-lined curtains.
• Rugs and Carpets: Throw down some rugs to stop cold air from sneaking through the gaps. It’s an easy way to make older homes with wooden floors feel much cosier.
• Door Management: Close doors to unused rooms to keep the heat where you need it. No point in heating the whole house when you can focus on staying comfy in the spaces you’re actually using.

Advanced Heating Solutions and Upgrades

Professional Radiator Maintenance

Beyond basic bleeding, radiators may require professional attention to maintain optimal performance. Power flushing removes internal debris and sludge that accumulates over time, blocking heat transfer and reducing efficiency.

Following power flushing, consider installing a magnetic system filter to prevent future debris accumulation and maintain long-term efficiency.

Comprehensive Insulation Upgrades

• Loft Insulation: The recommended insulation depth is 270mm. Topping up existing insulation from 120mm to 270mm can help save money whilst significantly improving thermal comfort.
• Hot Water Cylinder Insulation: Upgrade cylinder jackets from 25mm to 80mm thickness. This improvement reduces heat loss from stored hot water whilst maintaining consistent temperatures.
• Wall Insulation: Cavity wall insulation suits most London properties. Solid wall insulation, suitable for older London properties, can be cost-efficient, though installation costs are higher up front.

Boiler System Upgrades

Modern condensing boilers are a big step up in efficiency compared to older ones.

Getting your boiler serviced annually is also a smart move, when it comes to how to keep a home warm in winter. It keeps everything running smoothly, helps avoid expensive winter breakdowns, and makes sure you stay covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Plus, it’s a chance to catch any small issues before they turn into bigger problems.

Advanced Heating Controls

• Programmable Thermostats: Set heating to activate before waking and deactivate after bedtime, ensuring comfort when needed whilst avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
• Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs): Control individual room temperatures, heating only occupied spaces. This targeted approach significantly reduces energy consumption whilst maintaining comfort.
• Smart Heating Systems: Advanced controls allow remote heating management via smartphone apps, enabling precise temperature control from anywhere.

Additional Tips To Keep Home Warm In Winter

Cost-Effective Heat Retention

• Reflective Materials: Try placing aluminium foil behind your radiators. It reflects heat back into the room and costs less than £5. Simple, cheap, and it works!
• Thermal Mass: Use heavy fabrics or materials like stone or brick to soak up heat during the day and release it slowly at night. It helps keep your space at a comfy temperature.
• Natural Heat: Make the most of the sun! Open your curtains during the day to let in the sunshine and close them at dusk to trap the heat. It’s a free and surprisingly effective way on how to keep a home warm in winter.

Smart Energy Management

• Heating Schedules: Set up schedules that match your daily routine. Keep living areas warm during the day and bedrooms cosy in the evening for maximum comfort and efficiency.
• Zonal Heating: Why heat the whole house when you’re only using a few rooms? Use heating controls to focus on occupied spaces while keeping unused areas at a lower temperature.
• Weather Monitoring: Stay one step ahead of the weather! Adjust your heating based on forecasts and turn it up before a cold snap, and dial it down when things warm up.

Professional Services for Optimal Home Warmth

Some heating fixes are best left to the pros to keep things safe and running smoothly. If you’re dealing with gas appliances or boiler repairs, it’s time to call in a qualified expert. Look for professional help on how to keep a home warm in winter if:

• Your radiators still aren’t heating evenly, even after bleeding them.
• Your heating system is making strange noises.
• Your boiler keeps breaking down.
• Your energy bills have suddenly spiked.
• There are cold spots in multiple rooms.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting an expert to take a look.

Serviceteam delivers trusted, professional heating solutions for London homeowners. From power flushing to improve efficiency, annual boiler servicing to prevent costly issues, we’ve got you covered.

Making Winter Warmth Affordable and Sustainable

If you’re thinking about making bigger changes, getting advice from a professional service can help you find the right solutions.

We at Serviceteam provide London homeowners with heating solutions, including power flushing, boiler servicing, system upgrades, and 24/7 emergency repairs for efficient, reliable warmth.

Contact our professional heating engineers and prepare for the cold winter with expert advice on how to keep a home warm in winter!

FAQs

How to keep old house warm in winter?

Seal up those pesky draughts, hang thick curtains, and think about adding secondary glazing to your windows. Rugs are also a great way to stop heat from escaping through the floors. Don’t forget to get your boiler serviced regularly so it runs smoothly through London’s chilly winters.

How to keep a room warm in winter?

For smaller rooms, a space heater can be a lifesaver. Keep the doors closed to trap heat, and layer up with cosy throws or rugs. Make sure your windows are properly sealed, and thermal curtains can go a long way in keeping that London cold out.

What temperature to keep house warm in winter?

Aim to keep your home at 18-21°C. It’s the sweet spot for staying comfortable without burning through cash. A programmable thermostat can help you keep home warm without high bills.

Should I use curtains or blinds to retain heat?

Thick, thermal curtains are a must for keeping the heat in. Close them as soon as it gets dark to trap the warmth, especially if you live in an older London home with single-glazed windows. Blinds can help too, but they don’t insulate as well as heavy curtains.

How can I maintain my heating system for better efficiency?

Service your boiler once a year, bleed your radiators to get rid of trapped air, and check for any leaks. Make sure your pipes are insulated, and if your system is outdated, upgrading it can save energy and keep your London home warm and toasty.