How to Keep Your House Warm in Winter

As temperatures drop and heating bills rise, many UK homeowners find themselves asking the same question every year: how to keep your house warm in winter without spending a fortune?

A cold and draughty home isn’t just uncomfortable, it can be costly, inefficient, and even bad for your health. Fortunately, there are several simple and effective ways to improve your home’s warmth, from small DIY fixes to long-term upgrades like energy-efficient windows and doors.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors

One of the most effective ways to keep your house warm in winter is by upgrading old, inefficient windows and doors. Poorly fitted or single-glazed windows allow heat to escape rapidly, even when the heating is on full blast.

Why New Windows and Doors Make a Difference:

• Double or triple glazing – significantly reduces heat loss
• Low U-value ratings – better insulation (aim for 1.4 W/m²K or lower)
• Modern seals and frames – help eliminate draughts and cold spots
• Energy-efficient doors – often include insulated cores and weather-tight designs

Upgrading your glazing not only improves warmth but also enhances security, reduces noise, and can increase your property’s value.

Seal Draughts Around Gaps and Openings

Even with good insulation, small gaps can let in cold air and let heat escape. Take time to draught-proof your home by:

• Sealing gaps around windows and doors with foam strips or silicone sealant
• Installing draught excluders on letterboxes, keyholes, and under doors
• Using door brushes on external doors
• Fitting an insulated cover over your loft hatch

These fixes are inexpensive and easy to do, but they can make a noticeable difference in warmth and energy use.

Find out how to adjust your windows to prevent draughts.

Insulate Your Loft and Roof Space

Since hot air rises, your loft can be a major source of heat loss. Loft insulation is one of the most cost-effective energy improvements you can make.

Recommendations:

• Use 270mm of mineral wool or equivalent
• Ensure full coverage, especially around joists and eaves
• Consider adding insulation to the roof itself in converted lofts or dormers

Loft insulation can reduce heating costs by up to 25% in some homes, and it usually pays for itself within a few years.

Use Thick Curtains and Maximise Natural Heat

Windows are one of the most vulnerable areas for heat loss, but there are ways to minimise this with your existing setup:

• Hang thick, thermal-lined curtains to trap warm air inside
• Open curtains during the day to let in natural sunlight
• Close them as soon as it gets dark to reduce heat escaping
• Use curtain pelmets to stop warm air rising behind the fabric

For an added layer of insulation, consider installing secondary glazing film on older windows.

Optimise Your Heating System

Sometimes, the issue isn’t insulation, it’s heating efficiency. Take these steps to get the most from your existing system:

• Bleed radiators to remove trapped air
• Use radiator reflector panels to bounce heat back into rooms
• Set your thermostat to an even, comfortable temperature
• Avoid placing furniture in front of radiators

Modern smart thermostats can also help you heat rooms more efficiently and save money by learning your habits and reducing unnecessary heating.

Lay Rugs and Insulate Your Floors

Cold floors can sap heat from your home. If you have wooden or laminate flooring, you may be losing warmth through gaps or bare boards.

Simple fixes include:

• Laying thick rugs in high-traffic areas
• Sealing gaps in floorboards with wood filler
• Adding insulated underlay during renovations

While floor insulation is often overlooked, it’s a great way to improve comfort and reduce heat loss, especially in older homes.

Use Smart Heating Controls

Smart home heating systems are a worthwhile investment for long-term warmth and energy savings. Products like Nest, Hive, or Tado allow you to:

• Control heating from your smartphone
• Set schedules based on room usage
• Monitor energy consumption
• Turn the heating off remotely when you forget

Zone heating (only heating the rooms you use) can be more efficient and comfortable than heating the whole home constantly.

Small Lifestyle Habits That Keep You Warmer

Sometimes, small habits can make a big difference. Here are a few quick wins:

• Keep internal doors closed to retain heat in used rooms
• Layer up with socks, jumpers, and hot water bottles
• Cook hearty meals and leave the oven door open after use (if safe to do so)
• Use electric throws or heated pads as targeted heat sources

These solutions don’t replace insulation, but they do help reduce your heating reliance day to day.

How Much Can You Save?

Replacing single-glazed windows with A-rated double glazing could save up to £200-£300 per year in heating costs (depending on your property size and energy prices). Similarly, adding loft insulation or sealing gaps can reduce heat loss by 15-25%, without major renovation costs.

Stay Warm Without Wasting Energy

Keeping your house warm in winter isn’t about turning up the thermostat, it’s about making your home retain the heat you already produce. That starts with identifying weak spots, upgrading where necessary, and being smart about your heating habits.

If you’re serious about improving comfort and cutting your bills, upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors is one of the most effective steps you can take.

Ready to Make Your Home Warmer This Winter?

At the Double Glazing Network, we supply high-performance windows and doors designed to help you stay warm, reduce energy waste, and enjoy a cosier home, even on the coldest days.

Find a local installer and keep your house warm this winter.

FAQs: How to Keep Your House Warm in Winter

What is the most efficient way to heat a home in winter?
Focus on insulation first. Combine good loft insulation, sealed draughts, and energy-efficient glazing with a well-maintained heating system.

Do thicker curtains really help keep heat in?
Yes. Thermal-lined curtains reduce heat loss through windows, especially at night.

How much heat is lost through windows and doors?
Around 18–20% of heat loss in an average UK home happens through windows and doors.

Are new windows worth it just for insulation?
Absolutely. A-rated or triple-glazed windows drastically reduce heat loss and can pay for themselves over time through energy savings.