How to Keep Your Home Warm Without Central Heating

MyJobQuote's tips on how to keep your home warm without central heating. 

With the cost of living increasing and energy prices skyrocketing, homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their heating bills. Some homeowners in the UK have even resorted to not turning on the heating at all. While this isn’t advised for health reasons, there are some things you can do to help keep your home warm when central heating isn’t an option.

Below is a rounded-up list of the best ways to keep warm without central heating from MyJobQuote’s heating expert, Matthew Jenkins.

Use an Electric Blanket or Throw

Electric blankets are extremely cost-effective and act as a great way to keep you warm when you go to bed or when you're chilling on the sofa. These blankets are far cheaper to run than central heating, and many cost just a few pence per hour, even on the highest setting.

Many modern heated blankets feature self-timers which allow you to set a time when they come on and a time when they go off, making them perfect for keeping on the bed. This can also help to reduce costs even further.

Bundle Up When at Home

It goes without saying that you’re not going to feel that warm in a cold home if you’re walking around in just a t-shirt and shorts. Try to consider how your choices of clothing will affect how warm you feel. The more layers you wear, the warmer you will feel.

It’s also worth considering the material of the clothes you’re wearing when you’re around the home. Fleecy and thick materials are the best options for helping you feel warmer.

Use a Hot Water Bottle

A hot water bottle can help you feel much warmer. Consider using a hot water bottle when you're just sitting watching TV or reading. This will help you feel much warmer when chilling around the home.

A hot water bottle is also great for helping you keep warm when you go to bed. Heat can help you relax as it stimulates blood flow and improves circulation. This can help you feel much more comfortable when in bed. A single hot water bottle is enough for one person. It's best to target your feet when in bed. Simply place your hot water bottle under the duvet, where your feet will go for around 10 minutes before you go to bed.

Put Down Some Rugs

If you have hardwood floors or tiles, it’s likely that you’ll feel the cold underfoot when walking around the home. One way that you can help to insulate your floors is with a nice thick rug. Not only will this help to prevent draughts from the floorboards, but it will also help your feet feel lovely and cosy whenever you step on it.

The fluffier the rug is, the cosier it will feel. Faux sheepskin rugs are great for providing warmth.

Use Your Curtains

Sunlight provides a free way to heat up your home, but you need to make sure you’re using your curtains correctly to ensure you get the most from this free heat. On sunnier days, open your curtains up wide to allow the sunlight to pour into your home. Then, as soon as the sun goes down, shut your curtains to help keep the heat in. Doing this will act as an additional layer of insulation in your home.

It’s also a good idea to invest in some thicker curtains or use insulated curtain liners to help retain the heat in your home.

Block Draughts From The Home

Most homes have some gaps around doors and windows, and some homes will also have cracks and gaps in the floors and walls. Luckily, there are several things you can do to block out draughts around the home.

Consider installing self-adhesive rubber seals around your windows and doors. Placing a rug down can help to prevent draughts from coming through the floors. Also, consider using draught excluders at the bottom of the door you're in to help keep the heat in the room.

Use a Terracotta Heater

A terracotta heater is a simple yet, effective way to help keep your home warm without using central heating. You can purchase these, or you can easily make your own with just a few simple components.

A terracotta heater uses the heat of a candle and concentrates this heat to a single point. This is then radiated out by terracotta pots. These pots tend to retain heat for a while, so even when the candles go out, the pots will continue to radiate heat for some time afterwards.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – our seven top tips for helping to keep your home warm without central heating. If you're looking to reduce your energy bills this winter, follow the tips above to help ensure you can keep your home warm without relying completely on your central heating.