As a bitter chill descends across the UK and energy bills remain a pressing concern, households are desperately seeking affordable ways to stay warm. While high-tech gadgets offer one solution, experts are pointing to a remarkably effective and forgotten method from the Victorian era that requires no tools or expensive equipment.
The Victorian Draught-Proofing Method
Heating specialists at Plumbworld advocate for a simple yet powerful fix: using heavy door curtains, known as portières in Victorian times. The technique involves hanging these thick, full-length curtains across draughty internal doorways and behind the front door. This is then paired with a basic draught excluder at floor level.
This fabric barrier acts as an insulator, trapping the warmth you have already paid for inside the rooms you actually use. It's a solution that is renter-friendly, can be installed in minutes, and makes a noticeable difference without any structural changes.
Proven Reductions in Heat Loss
The effectiveness of heavy curtains is backed by substantial research. Tests conducted at Salford University's Energy House demonstrated that heavy curtains can cut heat loss through modern windows by approximately 33%. For homes with traditional sash windows, research by Historic England found an even greater reduction of 39%.
This significant decrease in escaping heat translates directly into a warmer living space. The experts note that this method can typically raise the temperature in a heated room by 1–2°C, a crucial boost during the coldest winter evenings.
How to Implement the Hack Tonight
For those ready to try this historical hack, the process is straightforward. Follow these steps for immediate results:
- Install a simple tension rod or track above the doorway, suitable for both internal doors and your main front door.
- Hang a thick, full-length curtain made from materials like wool, lined velvet, or a dedicated thermal fabric. Ensure it lightly touches the floor and overlaps the door frame.
- Place a draught excluder along the bottom of the door threshold and remember to keep letterboxes and keyholes covered.
- Reinforce the effect by closing heavy night curtains at your windows, which are proven to substantially reduce heat loss.
Always keep fabric clear of open flames, radiators, and heating vents to ensure safety.
An Alternative Radiator Hack
If the curtain method isn't suitable, consumer champion Which? has promoted another inexpensive trick. They suggest placing tin foil behind your radiators, a method they shared on TikTok.
This works by reflecting heat that would otherwise be absorbed by an external wall back into the room. Specially designed radiator foil can be purchased for around £8, offering a quick and easy DIY solution for everyone.
With online searches for 'help with energy costs' soaring by 80% according to analysis by SEO agency Improve My Search Ranking (IMSR), these simple, low-cost hacks provide much-needed relief for households aiming to stay warm without facing exorbitant bills.
