UK families share cost-effective heating tips as energy prices rise ahead of winter
With energy bills set to jump 16% in January, households are advised on ways to stay warm while managing costs.
At a glance
- Energy bills are expected to rise 16% in January, adding £276 annually to typical household costs.
- Families recommend heating only occupied rooms, using electric blankets, and sealing draughts to reduce heating expenses.
- 9.4% of English households lived in fuel poverty in 2025, with vulnerable groups facing particular financial strain.
As the UK braces for a chilly weekend with strong winds and heavy rain, families are sharing practical tips to keep homes warmer without cranking up heating costs, as energy prices continue to rise.
Experts warn that while taking action now could save money long-term, elderly and vulnerable individuals should not compromise their health to save energy.
Many recommend using hot water bottles and blankets, but other approaches include wearing multiple thin layers instead of one thick layer, according to the British Heart Foundation. Natalie, 29, says replacing household clothes with thermal leggings and tops from supermarkets has made a significant difference.
Eating warm meals like stews and pasta bakes can also help maintain body heat, says Amber Waring, 27, from Devon, who often dances in the kitchen while cooking with her toddler.
For sleeping, Rebecca, 44, from Hertfordshire, places a blanket underneath her mattress to prevent draughts—a tip passed down from her grandmother. Others suggest placing a blanket above the mattress but below the sheet.
Electric blankets are considered one of the cheapest warming methods, costing between 2p and 8p per hour at highest setting, according to Emily Seymour of consumer group Which?. The London Fire Brigade advises unplugging before sleep unless the blanket has thermostat control and replacing every 10 years.
Keeping doors closed helps trap heat in occupied rooms, while opening curtains during sunny days allows natural warmth before closing them at sunset, recommends Rebecca.
Using an oven after cooking can warm kitchens, though Lianne Macfarlane from Cheshire cautions this is unsafe around young children.
Rugs and soft furnishings add insulation, while log burners can be more economical than whole-house heating, though Elin Davis, 30, from South Wales notes wood prices have increased.
Sealing gaps around doors with towels or draught excluders prevents heat loss, and for single-glazed windows, secondary glazing, thermal curtains, or even bubble wrap can help retain warmth.
However, experts stress the importance of ventilation to prevent damp. Emily Seymour advises against keeping heating off completely due to health risks and potential pipe freezing.
Smart heating practices include bleeding radiators for efficiency, moving furniture away from radiators, and using radiator foil to reflect heat back into rooms—SOPHIE BURR of National Energy Action notes up to 35% of radiator heat is lost through walls.
Cora Harrison, 34, from Wakefield, only heats rooms in use and maintains low heating during holidays to prevent mould and frozen pipes, utilizing frost protection settings on some radiators.
Lowering combi boiler flow temperature during servicing can also reduce costs.
Free warm spaces like libraries and community centres offer alternatives, with some providing free hot drinks.
Rising energy bills are projected to increase by 16% in January, adding £276 annually to typical household costs, according to Cornwall Insight. This increase particularly affects families with children, health conditions, and elderly residents.
Fuel poverty affected 9.4% of English households in 2025, according to government data. Rodney Winchester, 65, from Thetford, expresses extreme worry about affording heating due to health conditions, reporting he's reduced food spending and frequently falls ill in cold weather.
Debt charity StepChange recommends checking eligibility for the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment, and contacting energy suppliers about affordable repayment plans or support schemes.
Questions and answers
- How can I keep my house warm without using much heating?
- Use electric blankets, wear multiple thin layers, close doors to heat only occupied rooms, seal draughts, and open curtains during sunny days to capture natural warmth.
- What support is available for rising energy costs?
- Check eligibility for the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment, and contact your energy supplier about affordable repayment plans or support schemes.
- How much are UK energy bills expected to increase?
- Household energy prices are projected to rise 16% in January, adding approximately £276 to annual bills according to Cornwall Insight forecasts.
