# ​Low tech Ways to Heat Your House this Winter

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/07/low-tech-ways-to-heat-your-house-this-winter/
- Published: 2016-07-14T04:35:39-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Why wait until autumn to start draught-proofing your home? Think about it, by the
time you actually start feeling the cold, you’ve already wasted money, gas or [home heating oil](https://www.emo.ie).
So have a look through these good old-fashioned ideas for creating a warm welcome
and get busy before the nights draw in!

**Use tin foil behind the radiators**

This is especially effective with radiators that are placed against external walls
as it reflects heat back into the room rather than letting it escape. You can buy
special foil for this, or just use good, sturdy cooking foil.

**Set time limits**

Put your heating on a timer. Set it to go off around 20-30 minutes before your bedtime.
So if you know it’s going to be cold, set it to come on earlier. I mean rather than
at the usual time but higher. This conserves your gas, coal, oil or electricity 
and so therefore your money.

![nest thermostat](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/
04/thermostat-4b500ba8055a84bd75a778d80d660669-e1593229533513.png?resize=221%2C235&
quality=50&ssl=1)

Smart thermostat

**Use thick curtains**

One of the best tools against heat loss from windows and doors is thick curtains.
You can save money [by lining curtains](https://www.curtains-2go.co.uk/) you already
have with another layer of fabric, or even fleece. Don’t forget your doors here –
they let as much heat out as windows!

**Let the sunshine in**

When the sun is actually shining, open your [curtains](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/12/3-winter-energy-saving-tips/)
and let the sun heat your rooms up. As soon as it’s dusk, close your curtains to
keep the warmth in.

![Let sunlight in with windows ](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/
uploads/2017/07/ecowindow3-1.png?resize=762%2C1038&quality=50&ssl=1)

**Block your chimney**

If your fireplace is merely decorative, block up your chimney with a special balloon.
Lots of heat escapes up your chimney, so stop it in its tracks. Just don’t forget
to remove the balloon if you do decide to light a fire!

**Don’t forget about the little gaps**

Letterboxes and keyholes might seem insignificant, but everything adds up – use 
a draught-excluding brush in your letterbox to keep the wind out and cover your 
keyhole with a flap. If you have a catflap, see if you can’t use draught-excluder
tape around the edges, too.

**Use a draught excluder**

Your gran will have had one – shaped like a snake or a sausage dog, no doubt. You
may have thought it was a plaything but your old granny will have known what she
was doing! Buy one or make one – the choice is yours, but you’ll find it very effective.

**Close unused rooms up**

This prevents heat from the inhabited parts of the house from escaping into unused(
and hopefully unheated!) areas.

**Cover bare floorboards up**

Uninsulated floorboards cause around 10% of your heat loss, so get a rug, or even
a blanket just for the winter months. If you have particularly big gaps, or gappy
skirting boards, think about a [silicon filler](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2011/dec/16/1)
to stop the wind whistling through.

**Don’t forget your loft**

This effort is pointless if your warm air escapes through the roof! Make sure your
loft hatch is well-sealed – draught-excluder tape comes into play again here! Also,
check for and replace any loose roof tiles as you don’t want your work undone.

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)