9 cheap ways to heat your home this winter for under €10 each

Some choose (or have little choice) to leave it off, or leave it on less than they’d like — perhaps wrapping themselves in fleece loungewear and electric blankets to avoid escalating costs.

Luckily, there are a few little things you can try to keep the cold out where it belongs.

From free changes to small tweaks under €10, these expert-approved tips could ultimately help warm your house a little — and stop heat escaping by keeping chilly drafts at bay.

Put some cling film on your windows

It sounds silly at first, but putting cling film on your windows can help warm your house.

“You have to flatten it all around the frame, it looks saggy and awful but you then have to take a hair dryer and it sinks into place blocking any drafts.”

However, he noted that this means you cannot open your windows.

Of course you can buy cling film rolls for under £10 a roll for your local shop or supermarket, but Amazon also sells a pack of 3m window insulation film for £8.30.

Seal window frames, doors, baseboards and floorboards

Cracks or gaps in your window frames can certainly let in the cold air. The same goes for cracks in your floorboards or baseboards, or gaps in the sides of doors.

The Energy Saving Trust has many recommendations for combating drafts throughout the home.

Luckily, there are affordable solutions to sealing all of these things – whether as a temporary fix or a permanent measure.

At Screwfix there is a range of white finishes useful for window frames and baseboards for just £3.79 – while finishes for wooden floors are £4.99.

Wilko offers many options from £5. Similar prices can be found on Amazon, with UniBond Sealant on sale for £7.50.

A roll of self-adhesive rubber grommet is available from Wickes for £6.50, ideal for doors or windows.

Cover your mailbox

While it may seem obvious now that window frame designs need to be addressed, you don’t want to forget your mailbox.

If it’s uncovered on the inside of your front door, cold air could creep in.

It’s an easy fix if you’re handy, as you can buy a cover from Amazon for just £5.99. They often have to be screwed on.

Buy or make your own “door snake”

If there’s a little space between your floor and the doors in your house, “door snakes” can be your new best friend.

Essentially these are just draft excluders long enough to cover the width of your door that are positioned at the gap to prevent cold air from entering.

Natasha Berthiaume, Head of Brand at Hometree, says you can make your own with just a few little touches.

She explains: “Just sew a few leaves or scraps of fabric together into a long, thin cloth sack and fill it with dried peas or rice. Ideally something to give it enough weight to stay in place.

“You should measure the cloth to make sure it fits the width of the door frame.”

Move furniture away from your radiators

A little rearranging of the living room or bedroom might be in order to ensure your radiator isn’t covered or blocked.

“It might seem obvious to point this out, but any type of furniture like a sofa, chair, or bed in front of the radiator will block the flow of heat into the room,” says Natasha.

“It’s also worth noting that placing furniture near a running electric or steam heater can be dangerous and should be avoided.”

Install radiator valves

Another tip from Hometree’s Natasha Berthiaume is to get a radiator valve if you don’t have one.

Often numbered, rotating dials located at the bottom and side of your radiator allow you to control the temperature in different rooms, optimizing where and when heat is emitted.

However, you’d have to make sure you know how to properly and safely install them yourself – and have the right tools to get the job done – or else you’d have to pay for a professional.

Natasha adds: “Alternatively, you could buy a smart valve that connects to your smart thermostat to control the temperature from one place and help save even more on energy bills.

“The Energy Saving Trust estimates you could save between £70 and £150 a year by installing thermostats and radiator valves in your home.”

And consider adding some reflective radiator panels

Another energy saving myth that can also be cost effective is to put reflective panels behind the radiator.

This, says building expert Clive Holland, aims to reflect heat back into your space — rather than letting it escape up the walls — and anecdotally seems to work.

He previously told us: “Recently someone told me they have a radiator in the bathroom and asked if it would benefit from a reflective shield so the wall doesn’t soak up the heat.

“I put it to the test and got some reflective bubble wrap and stuck it behind the radiator. Apparently they feel a massive difference in heat in this room – I’m getting great feedback.”

If your house is particularly chilly, or there’s a room where the heat just seems to go away, it may be worth a punt.

Luckily you can test the theory with a 470mm x 4m roll of £7.99 Screwfix radiator reflective sheeting. You’ll also need some tape.

Insulate your plumbing

“Purchasing and installing pipe insulation is a quick and easy way to prevent excessive heat loss and reduce your home’s energy use,” says Natasha.

“It also helps prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting in the colder periods.”

To do this you’ll need to buy some foam tubing – which you can also get from B&Q from £1.38. They are also available at most hardware stores as well as online.

How much you spend depends on how many tubes you need to measure.

Natascha adds: “You can buy foam hoses at most hardware stores … and slip them over your pipes yourself. This keeps your water warmer longer and avoids ice blockages.’

Familiarize yourself with your thermostat

Last but not least, using your thermostat properly can also help keep your home warm and save you money.

He recommends using a “constant temperature – one for the day and one for the night” and adds that “dropping just one degree can cut the bill by 10%”.

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