Positioning your bed against an interior wall can keep your bedroom warmer this winter without switching on the heating, according to an expert. Lisa Davis, Product Adviser at Opera Beds, said interior walls are less prone to temperature fluctuations and can help you stay comfortably warm through the night.
Simple furniture changes that cost nothing
Davis also advised keeping the bed away from windows, because even well-insulated windows can leak heat and let in cold draughts. She recommended avoiding placing furniture in front of radiators, which can block their heat, and suggested putting down a rug on hard floors to boost insulation and reduce heat loss.
The tip is one of several budget-friendly suggestions from Opera Beds aimed at households looking to stay warm without relying on the thermostat. Last year, 1.7 million households reportedly said they would not switch on their central heating due to escalating energy costs.
Curtains, draughts and other cost-free fixes
Another cost-free tip is to close curtains as soon as the sun goes down to lock in heat. Thermally-lined curtains are particularly effective at keeping cold air out around windows. The best curtain materials for retaining warmth are thick, heavy fabrics such as wool, velvet or fleece.
If money is tight, Davis suggested hanging a shower curtain behind existing curtains for an extra layer of insulation. Sealing draughts around windows and doors with weather stripping and window film can also make a far greater difference than expected.
Finding and blocking cold air
To locate draughts, households can run a hand around doors, windows, floorboards, beams, skirting boards and air conditioning units to feel for air movement. Another method is holding a lit match near potential gaps to see whether it flickers.
Keeping doors to unused rooms firmly shut concentrates warmth where it is needed most, and a draught excluder can prevent cold air from creeping in under doors.
