Practical, cost-conscious advice for homeowners

With winter temperatures regularly dropping to freezing, keeping your home warm can become both a comfort and cost concern. Cold weather doesn’t just affect how a property feels — it can also highlight underlying issues such as poor insulation, draughts and inefficient heating systems.

Below are some practical, sensible heating tips to help homeowners stay warm this winter while keeping running costs under control.

Prioritise Warmth and Wellbeing

A consistently warm home is important for general wellbeing, particularly for older occupants, young children and anyone with health conditions. Cold indoor temperatures can increase the risk of condensation, damp and mould, which may also affect the building fabric over time.

If you’re not moving around much, wearing multiple layers, warm socks and using throws or blankets can help maintain body heat without immediately increasing heating use.

Reduce Heat Loss Before Turning the Heating Up

One of the most effective ways to stay warm is to prevent heat escaping in the first place.

  • Open curtains during the day to let in natural warmth, then close them at dusk

  • Use draught excluders at doors and around windows

  • Fit letterbox brushes and seal unused keyholes

  • Place chimney draught excluders in unused fireplaces

Simple measures like rugs on timber floors can also make rooms feel noticeably warmer.

Use Your Heating System More Efficiently

Heating systems work best when they are used sensibly and maintained properly.

  • Set your thermostat between 18°C and 21°C for most living areas

  • Turning the thermostat down by just one degree can reduce energy use

  • Switch off or reduce radiators in unused rooms

  • Make sure radiators aren’t blocked by furniture or heavy curtains

If your boiler allows it, reducing the flow temperature can improve efficiency, particularly in modern systems.

Timers, Thermostats and Smart Controls

Many heating systems include timers or programmable thermostats that allow different temperatures at different times of day. Smart thermostats can also be adjusted remotely, helping you avoid heating an empty home unnecessarily.

For those spending long periods in one room, heating a single space efficiently may be more cost-effective than warming the entire house.

Portable Heaters and Safety

Portable electric heaters can be useful, but they must be used safely.

  • Plug directly into a wall socket

  • Keep well clear of curtains and furniture

  • Never leave unattended

Gas heaters carry a carbon monoxide risk, so a working carbon monoxide alarm is essential where gas appliances are present. Electric blankets and heated throws can also provide targeted warmth when used with timers and manufacturer guidance.

A Surveyor’s Perspective

During winter inspections, we often see homes where heat loss, condensation or inefficient heating could have been improved with relatively straightforward measures. In some cases, these issues point to more significant defects such as inadequate insulation, ventilation problems or ageing heating systems.

At Ashton Lee Surveyors, we regularly assess properties across Essex and can advise on heating efficiency, insulation and winter-related defects as part of a RICS or RPSA survey.

👉 Concerned about heating, damp or winter-related issues?
Contact Ashton Lee Surveyors, your local independent building surveyors in Essex, for clear, practical advice and professional property surveys.