The scorching summer is now over, and while this means the days of sweltering are over for the year, it can mean difficulties in heating your home and family. With energy bills consistently sky-rocketing, it can be a nightmare being able to afford putting your heating on. There are ways to ensure you keep you and your family warm this winter without breaking the bank. The important thing to remember before reading this article is that yours and your family’s health is vital. It can be dangerous to leave a home unheated in the winter, so please ensure your prioritise health over anything else.
The first tip is to try to “heat the human, not the home”.
This means ensuring you and your family are warm before cranking up the thermostat. There are lots of ways to easily do this.
Wear extra layers. Wear two pairs of socks, keep your dressing gown on during the day over your clothes. One tip is to wear a pair of tights underneath your clothes. If you do decide to put the central heating on, make sure you turn the temperature down on radiators in rooms nobody is using. This cuts down on costs, while ensures you are still warm.
Check local online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace for items such as reusable hand warmers or USB gloves. You can sometimes get these items for cheap, or even free. They usually only cost a few pence a week to use, and are great at keeping you warm, even if the central heating isn’t on. It is not advised to buy second-hand electric blankets for safety reasons.
Go out during the day. Take yourself to a local library, where it will be warm, and you can keep busy. Find a pub or café that offers free refills of hot drinks. You can take your family and keep entertained and warm for the price of a couple of coffees.
Ensure you eat regularly. Your body naturally stays warmer when you have eaten. It is vital to eat at least one warm meal a day. If you are struggling to afford to eat and heat your home during the colder months, visit your local foodbank, where you are given free food parcels.
Keep active! The more you move around, the more your body generates heat. It’s also great for your mental wellbeing.
In terms of the house itself, try to identify and close any draughts. If you are unable to afford draught excluders, you can roll up towels or bedsheets to stop the chilly air. If you are renting, and some doors or windows continuously let cold air through, speak to your landlord about getting them fixed.
When you do put the central heating on, make good use of timers. Don’t waste the heat if you’re out all day, but ensure it is on at times when you and your family are home. Check what temperature the thermostat is set to. You don’t need it to be roasting, just enough to take the cold away.
It is important to ensure that you don’t allow your home to become too cold or damp. This can lead to damp or mould, which is bad for your health. If you do spot signs of mould in your house, clean it as soon as possible. If you rent, contact your landlord immediately to get the mould removed.
It is important to address the fact that it is difficult to afford heating in winter months. There is no need to be embarrassed; it is a common issue in the UK today. Follow the tips above or contact us directly at info@homestartcamden.org and we will provide more information to ensure you can enjoy a comfortable, warm winter without spending a fortune!
Written by James Doyle