Opening the curtains for 10 minutes each morning can keep a bedroom warm all night without the radiator, according to a personal routine shared by Katherine McPhillips. The method relies on sunlight warming the air near the window, with nearby surfaces retaining that heat into the evening.
How the curtain trick works
Most people keep curtains drawn all autumn and winter, believing this traps heat inside the home. However, sunlight can genuinely warm the air around a window, often enough to heat an entire room as the light is absorbed by nearby surfaces.
Walls, flooring and furnishings can hold that warmth for hours. Once darkness falls, drawing the curtains seals the heated air inside the room.
A 10-minute daily routine
The technique was first discovered from a roommate while living in an old Victorian house, and has since become one of the easiest ways to cut energy bills. Each morning, all curtains and blinds are thrown open as wide as possible, and the expected sunset time for the area is checked online.
A reminder is set on a phone, and the curtains are drawn the moment it sounds in the evening, or whenever it begins to get dark outside. The task takes roughly 10 minutes and is generally enough to keep the room comfortable throughout autumn, meaning the heating does not need to be switched on at night until temperatures really plummet around December or January.
Extra tips for retaining warmth
For those trying the curtain method, placing a rug near windows and radiators is recommended, as the thick material helps retain warmth in the floor for longer. Cleaning windows before switching on the heating allows maximum sunlight to flood into the home, making the trick even more effective.
Rearranging bedroom furniture at this time of year can also help, ensuring larger pieces such as beds or wardrobes do not block heat from entering the room. Furniture should be positioned away from windows and radiators to encourage warm air to flow more freely throughout the space. Thermal curtains fitted around bedroom and living room windows feature special lining that prevents cold air from penetrating, helping maintain warmth in the home.
