⚡ Quick picks
✅ Do these first: they’re free
- Close curtains at dusk and open them on sunny days.
- Bleed radiators that are cold at the top.
- Move furniture away from radiators.
- Check you're getting every discount you're due, such as the Warm Home Discount, and ask your supplier about payment support.
- Never block trickle vents or air bricks. Your home still needs to breathe.
Compare our picks
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| Pick | Best for | Key spec | Main downside | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vellure door draught excluder strip | Draughty doors | Door strip | Never block trickle vents or air bricks | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Deconovo thermal blackout curtains, 1 pair | Keeping heat in at night | 1 pair | Measure carefully, as sizes vary | Check price on AmazonAd |
| CUQOO radiator reflector foil, 5m x 60cm | Radiators on outside walls | 5m roll | Most benefit on uninsulated outside walls; little on internal walls | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Silentnight Comfort Control electric blanket, double | A warm bed for pennies | Double | Follow the safety instructions and check it each season | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Electric heated throw, 160 x 130cm | The sofa | 160 x 130cm | Only warms you, not the room | Check price on AmazonAd |
| tado° Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+ | Smarter heating control | Smart thermostat | Check it's compatible with your boiler first | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Thermos Stainless King 1.2L flask (24h hot) | Hot drinks all day in a cut | 1.2L | Costs more than generic flasks | Check price on AmazonAd |
| HotHands hand warmers, 5 pairs | Warmth with no power | 5 pairs | Single use | Check price on AmazonAd |
We don't show prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” for today's price on Amazon.
Out Mon 23 NovWhere Does Your Energy Bill Money Actually Go?
The video that goes with this guide, from the Mains & Drains channel.
▶ Subscribe so you don't miss itStep 1: stop the heat escaping
Draught-proofing is the classic first step. The Energy Saving Trust estimates around £55 a year saved for a typical GB home.
Vellure door draught excluder strip
The cheapest fix first. The Energy Saving Trust puts draught-proofing savings at around £55 a year (GB).
- Very cheap
- No tools needed
- Never block trickle vents or air bricks
Deconovo thermal blackout curtains, 1 pair
Close them at dusk to cut heat loss through the glass.
- Also block light
- Cheap
- Measure carefully, as sizes vary
CUQOO radiator reflector foil, 5m x 60cm
Reflects heat back into the room instead of into a cold external wall. It's a cheap, small, sensible fix.
- Very cheap
- Easy DIY
- Most benefit on uninsulated outside walls; little on internal walls
Step 2: heat the person, not the house
Electric blankets and throws put heat straight onto you. Check the wattage on the label against your own unit rate.
Silentnight Comfort Control electric blanket, double
Heating the bed rather than the house is one of the cheapest ways to sleep warm.
- Low running cost (check against your tariff)
- Heat settings
- Follow the safety instructions and check it each season
- Not for use with hot water bottles
Electric heated throw, 160 x 130cm
Heat the person, not the room. A throw on the sofa can let you turn the thermostat down a notch.
- Low running cost (check against your tariff)
- Doubles as a normal throw
- Only warms you, not the room
Step 3: smarter heating control
A smart thermostat helps you stop heating an empty house. Check boiler compatibility first.
tado° Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+
Schedules and app control help you stop heating an empty house.
- Control from your phone
- Schedules and zoning add-ons
- Check it's compatible with your boiler first
- Some features need a paid subscription
Storms and cold snaps
Named storms bring power cuts and blocked roads. A few cheap items cover the gap.
Thermos Stainless King 1.2L flask (24h hot)
Boil the kettle once before the storm hits and you'll have hot drinks for the rest of the day.
- Keeps drinks hot for hours
- Tough steel body
- Costs more than generic flasks
HotHands hand warmers, 5 pairs
Air-activated, cheap, and they work in a power cut or a stranded car.
- No power needed
- Very cheap
- Single use
Bramble emergency foil blankets, 10-pack
They weigh almost nothing and hold body heat if you're stuck.
- Tiny and light
- Very cheap per blanket
- Crinkly and single-use in practice
AA winter car kit with folding snow shovel
One box for the boot covering the basics if you're stuck in snow.
- All-in-one
- Includes a folding shovel
- You may already own some of the contents
📄 Print it, stick it on the fridge
Winter Storm Ready guide (£5): written for UK homes, instant A4 download.
Questions people ask
Is an electric blanket cheaper than the heating?
Usually far cheaper per hour, because it heats you rather than the whole room. Check the wattage against your tariff.
Does radiator foil work?
It helps most on radiators fixed to uninsulated outside walls. On internal walls the benefit is small.
Why you can trust this guide
We haven’t lab-tested these products, and we won’t pretend we have. Every pick is researched and recommended: we compare specs, UK safety standards, warranties, official guidance and patterns in owner reviews, and we write down the real downsides. No brand paid to be here. Read how we choose.
Official advice and sources: Energy Saving Trust: draught-proofing · GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount
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