How to Keep Warm Without Turning the Heating Up: A UK Guide
The short answer: stop heat escaping before you think about adding more. Block draughts around doors, close thick curtains as it gets dark, wear several thin layers, keep your feet and hands warm and use blankets where you sit. Health guidance still says to heat the rooms you use most to at least 18°C if you can.
Most of the "keep warm for less" ideas that work are old-fashioned and need no electricity at all. This guide covers what UK health bodies actually advise, where draughts usually come from, and the plug-free products we stock that help, from thermal curtains to rechargeable hand warmers. We have deliberately not included plug-in heaters or electric blankets: many of the electrical heating products made for the US market are designed for 110 to 120V sockets, and we don't recommend using them in the UK.
First, the safety baseline
Keeping costs down should never mean being dangerously cold. The UK Health Security Agency's top tips for keeping warm and well advise trying to heat the rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C, keeping your bedroom windows closed at night and not sitting still for more than an hour or so. The NHS keep warm, keep well page lists the people most at risk from the cold: those aged 65 and over, babies and children under 5, people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, pregnant women, people with mental health conditions and people on a low income who struggle to heat their homes. If that's you or someone you care for, the ideas below are extras, not a replacement for heating. The NHS page also points to grants, benefits and advice that can help with energy bills and home improvements.
1. Stop the draughts
Draughts make a room feel colder than the thermostat suggests, because moving air pulls heat away from your skin. The UKHSA tips specifically mention fitting draught excluders around doors as a cheap fix. Common culprits in UK homes are:
- gaps under internal and external doors;
- gaps around door and window frames;
- letterboxes and keyholes;
- loft hatches;
- gaps between skirting boards and floorboards;
- unused chimneys.
Two simple products cover most door gaps. A slide-on double-sided draught stopper such as the Everlasting Comfort door draft stopper fits under a door and moves with it; it is designed for doors 30 to 36 inches (about 76 to 91 cm) wide, so measure your door first. For gaps around frames, self-adhesive foam strip such as MAGZO foam weather stripping (about 2.5 cm wide and thick, in two 4 m rolls) can be cut to length with scissors.
Don't block ventilation. Leave air bricks, trickle vents in windows, extractor fans and any vents for gas appliances, boilers, open fires or wood burners alone. These are there for safety, including to prevent carbon monoxide building up. If you have a dehumidifier or condensation problem, our guide to damp and condensation explains why some airflow matters.
2. Use curtains as insulation
Windows lose heat quickly, especially older single-glazed sash windows. Thick, lined curtains closed as soon as it gets dark trap a layer of air against the glass. Thermal blackout curtains have a dense, multi-layer weave that works well for this, and also blocks light for better sleep.
- NICETOWN thermal insulated blackout curtains: a pair of panels, each 52 x 84 inches (about 132 x 213 cm), with eyelets for a curtain pole.
- H.VERSAILTEX thermal blackout curtain: a single long panel, 52 x 96 inches (about 132 x 244 cm), for taller windows or a door.
Tips: choose curtains that are wider than the window and long enough to reach the sill or floor, tuck them behind radiators rather than letting them hang over them (otherwise warm air goes behind the curtain and up the glass), and open them during sunny days to let free warmth in. US curtain sizes are given in inches, so convert before you order (1 inch is 2.54 cm). Browse more in our window treatments collection.
3. Dress for the temperature indoors
The UKHSA advice is to wear several layers of thinner clothing, as this can keep you warmer than one thick layer. A few practical points:
- A thin base layer under a jumper makes a noticeable difference.
- Warm feet matter. Wool socks hold warmth well; ANTSANG merino wool socks come in a six-pair pack (sizes are in US shoe sizes, so check the chart).
- Slippers with a solid sole keep feet off cold hard floors and are safer on stairs than socks alone.
- Indoors, a hat or a scarf can help if you feel cold sitting still.
4. Warm the person, not the room
Blankets where you sit
A fleece throw on the sofa is the simplest way to stay comfortable at a lower room temperature. The Bedsure 320 GSM fleece throw is 50 x 60 inches (about 127 x 152 cm), big enough to wrap round one adult. For a bed or to share on a sofa, the Utopia Bedding ultra-soft fleece blanket (queen) measures 90 x 90 inches (about 229 x 229 cm). Our bed blankets collection has more sizes. An extra blanket on the bed helps on cold nights, but keep to the 18°C guidance for the bedroom if you are in an at-risk group.
Hand warmers
- Lerat rechargeable hand warmers (2 pack): palm-sized, three heat settings up to about 55°C and up to around 6 hours on lower settings. They charge by USB, so use a UK-plug USB charger or a power bank. Our power bank guide covers safe charging.
- HotHands disposable hand warmers (40 pairs): air-activated, no charging, up to 10 hours of warmth. Useful for walks, waiting at bus stops or sitting in a cold room.
Don't put hand warmers directly against bare skin for long periods, don't use them while asleep, and keep them away from young children.
Hot drinks and food
Hot drinks and regular warm meals help you feel warmer. An insulated mug such as the ALOUFEA 591 ml vacuum-insulated mug keeps a drink hot for much longer, so you are not reboiling the kettle all evening. Our insulated bottle guide explains how vacuum insulation works.
Hot water bottles: the safety rules
We don't currently stock hot water bottles, but many households use them, so it's worth knowing RoSPA's hot water bottle safety advice: fill to a maximum of two-thirds with hot, not boiling, water; always use a fabric cover or wrap it in a towel; don't sit or lie on it; check for cracks before each use; and check the date wheel (a small daisy-shaped mark near the neck) to see how old it is, as the rubber degrades over time.
5. Small habits that add up
- Close internal doors to keep heat in the rooms you use.
- Move your sofa or chair away from outside walls and windows, and away from radiators so heat can circulate.
- Get up and move about at least once an hour; the UKHSA notes even gentle stretching helps.
- Keep the bedroom window closed on winter nights.
- Check on older neighbours and relatives during cold spells.
Comparison: which plug-free option does what
| Option | What it does | Best for | Power needed | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under-door draught stopper | Blocks cold air under a door | Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways | None | Measure door width first |
| Foam weather strip | Seals gaps around frames | Rattly doors and windows | None | Don't cover trickle vents or air bricks |
| Thermal curtains | Traps air against windows | Older or single-glazed windows | None | Convert inch sizes; keep clear of radiators |
| Fleece blankets and throws | Keeps heat close to the body | Sofas and beds | None | Not a substitute for heating for at-risk groups |
| Wool socks and layers | Reduces heat loss from the body | Everyone | None | Several thin layers beat one thick one |
| Rechargeable hand warmers | Local warmth for hands | Desk work, outdoors | USB charging | Use a UK-plug charger; not while sleeping |
| Disposable hand warmers | Up to 10 hours of heat | Walks, travel, cold rooms | None | Single use; avoid direct skin contact |
| Insulated mug | Keeps drinks hot for longer | Home working | None | Stainless steel, so never put it in the microwave |
What we left out, and why
Search interest in heated airers, electric blankets and small space heaters rises every winter, and some of these use little electricity. But many heating appliances sold for the US market are built for 110 to 120V. Plugging one into a UK 230V socket through a simple travel adapter is unsafe. If you buy any mains heating product, check it is rated for 230V (or 100 to 240V) and comes with a UK plug. Our US vs UK plugs and voltage guide explains the details.
How we chose
We started with official UK guidance from the UK Health Security Agency, the NHS and RoSPA, and only then looked for products that support it. Everything in this guide works without being plugged into the mains, except the hand warmers, which charge over USB. We checked each product page for sizes and converted inches to centimetres, excluded any mains heating appliance or electric blanket, and favoured US-market brands that can be harder to find in UK shops. We have not quoted energy-saving figures, because savings depend on your home, tariff and habits. We do not show star ratings because we don't yet have enough verified customer reviews, and no brand paid to be included. All orders come with free UK delivery and free 30-day returns.
Checklist
- Heat the rooms you use most to at least 18°C if you can, especially if you're in an at-risk group.
- Fit an under-door draught stopper and seal gaps around frames; never block vents.
- Close thick curtains at dusk and keep them off radiators.
- Wear several thin layers, wool socks and slippers.
- Keep a blanket on the sofa and an extra one on the bed.
- Use hand warmers and hot drinks for quick warmth; follow RoSPA's rules for hot water bottles.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I keep my home in winter?
UK health guidance is to heat the rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room and bedroom, to at least 18°C if you can. This matters most for people over 65, young children and anyone with a long-term health condition.
What is the simplest way to keep a room warm without turning the heating up?
Stop warm air escaping first: block draughts under doors and around frames, close thick curtains at dusk and close internal doors. Then keep yourself warm with layers, wool socks and a blanket.
Do thermal curtains really make a difference?
Thick, lined curtains closed at dusk trap a layer of air against the window glass, which reduces heat loss through windows, especially older or single-glazed ones. Make sure they don't cover radiators.
Is it safe to block all draughts?
No. Leave air bricks, trickle vents, extractor fans and vents for gas appliances, boilers and fires uncovered, as they provide ventilation needed for safety. Only seal unintended gaps.
Are rechargeable hand warmers safe?
Follow the maker's instructions, charge them with a UK-plug USB charger or power bank, avoid long direct contact with bare skin, and don't use them while asleep or let young children use them unsupervised.
How full should a hot water bottle be?
RoSPA advises filling it to a maximum of two-thirds with hot, not boiling, water, always using a cover, never sitting or lying on it and checking it for damage before each use.
Why don't you recommend electric heaters or electric blankets?
Many heating appliances made for the US market are designed for 110 to 120V sockets and are not safe to use in the UK with a simple adapter. If you buy one, check it is rated for 230V or 100 to 240V and has a UK plug.
