As temperatures drop across the UK, many households are seeking affordable ways to stay warm without cranking up the heating. Energy bills remain a concern, with an 80% surge in online searches for 'help with energy costs', according to SEO agency Improve My Search Ranking (IMSR).
Heating experts at Plumbworld suggest a simple 'Victorian fix' that requires no gadgets or tools. The method involves hanging heavy door curtains, known as portières in Victorian times, across draughty internal doorways and behind the front door, paired with a basic draught excluder at floor level.
This fabric barrier traps warmth in the rooms you are using, reducing heat loss. Tests at Salford University's Energy House found that heavy curtains can cut window heat loss by roughly 33% on modern glazing, while Historic England research recorded a 39% reduction on traditional sash windows. This can raise room temperature by 1–2°C during cold snaps.
For those unable to use curtains, an alternative trick involves placing foil behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room, particularly effective on external walls. Which? shared this method on TikTok, noting it is quick, cheap, and easy. Foil for this purpose costs around £8.
