8 Cheap Ways to Keep Warm This Winter if You're Renting

With the cost of living going up again in October, people are trying any tricks to help them reduce their bills this winter. In this article we will be giving you tips on how to save money on energy bills.

With energy costs rising and around 1 in 5 people in the UK renting (https://www.generationrent.org/about_renting), we can acknowledge the lack freedom renters have to cut down on costs.

Here are 8 renter and cost friendly ways to keep in the heat this winter:
 

Fit Magnetic Secondary Glazing to Single Glazed Windows

Similarly, to double glazing, in the sense that the secondary glazing panel creates an instant insulating barrier, blocks draughts, and stops heat from escaping, this option is perfect for renters. Especially in the current cost of living crisis.

Our Magnetic Secondary Glazing is reversible, which means you won’t lose your renters deposit, and you can remove it to keep cool in the hotter months.

Double glazing also costs nearly 7.5 times more than our secondary glazing which you can buy between £35-£45 per square meter as opposed to £300 per square meter for double glazing.

And to save costs even further, it is amateur proof, so no need to spend extra on paying someone else to fit it!

FInd out more about our DIY secondary glazing products by clicking here.
 

Seal Cold Air Draughts

Draughty windows are often the cause of a chilly home, with up to 35% of your heat escaping through your windows  

Using caulk (which you can buy from places like B&Q, Screw Fix and even Poundland for less than £2), is an easy and efficient way to prevent some of your heat escaping. 

Again, it is something you can do yourself, and there are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do it if you need extra guidance. It is also easily removable and can be peeled off once softened. 

The only downside to caulking your windows is that you won’t be able to open them without having to reseal them again, which then creates the risk of increased humidity. However, to get around this, you can leave one window per room unsealed, to create ventilation.
 

Uncover Your Radiators

One of the simplest energy-saving tips we can offer is to make sure you don’t have anything covering your radiators.

This includes clothes and furniture. If you have a bed or a sofa covering your radiator, it may be time to rearrange as this stops heat from travelling around the rooms and is a waste of energy.

Also keeping your radiators clothes free, as again, it stops the heat from escaping.

Buying a clothes horse (£12 from Dunelm) will help this issue.
 

Install Floating Shelves and Tinfoil

Although most of us thought we would leave physics in the classroom when we left school, this radiator science experiment will save you some money.

Wrap a large piece of card in tinfoil and place it behind the radiator, which reflects the heat back into the room, rather than just heating the walls!

And if you wanted a more professional way of doing this you can buy radiator insulation foil from Screw Fix for under £7.

If you’re lucky enough to be in a rented property where you’re allowed to decorate, think about fitting a floating shelf above the radiator to control the heat.

The shelf will divert the heat around the room rather than it rising straight to the ceiling.
 

When You Have Finished Cooking, Open Your Oven Door

Of course, do not do this whilst you are cooking, but once you have cooked your meal and the oven is off, share the heat with the room. Open the oven door!

This will help especially if your kitchen, and dining room, or living room is open plan. Any extra heat you can get and circulate around will help.
 

Invest in Some Thick Curtains or Blinds

Investing in some thick curtains or blinds will definitely help keep in the heat, especially at night time.

However, it is suggested that you keep your curtains open until around 3pm, as any sunlight will naturally heat up a room.
 

Use Draught Excluders

You can buy draught excluders for as cheap as £5 from amazon, and they are definitely worth it.

Keeping doors closed (especially in rooms that aren’t being used), as well as using draught excluders will really reduce the heat from escaping.

They also come in different shapes and sizes so you can tailor them to any draughty exit!
 

Cover Hard Floors With Rugs

If you have wooden floors, rugs are the way forward. 

According to the National Energy Foundation, your home can lose as much as 10% of its heat through an uninsulated floor (https://homelet.co.uk/tenants/blog/article/6-ways-of-keeping-your-property-warm-for-less-this). 

Wool is a natural insulator, so finding a rug this material will be even better, however, as rugs can be quite pricey, any will do!
 

Conclusion

Despite the restriction some renters have in their homes, there are still so many ways you can go about making your home warmer, in an easy and cost-efficient way, even if that means wearing a blanket around the house.

Most landlords will allow you to carryout small, reversible DIY projects, however, it is best to always check with your landlord before you carry out any changes within the property.