Make sure you’re not losing heat from your home (Picture: Getty Images)
As the UK endures a harsh cold snap, many households find their homes uncomfortably chilly despite central heating.
Beyond mere discomfort, cold homes contribute to numerous health problems, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, arthritis, and mental health disorders.
Figuring out why your home is not retaining heat and fixing the problem not only enhances comfort but also protects physical and mental wellbeing, reducing healthcare strain and lowering energy bills — a crucial balance amid rising living costs.
Here are eight common but easily overlooked causes that can undermine heating systems, and the practical steps households can take (without turning up the thermostat).
Floorboard draughts
Interior specialist Chloe Barrow, of design firm Laura James, warns that gaps in wooden floorboards are a frequent source of draughts that counteract central heating.
‘We always remember to check doors and windows, but floorboards are so often forgotten,’ she says.
A hand run along skirting lines and floorboards will often reveal cold air seeping in; simple fixes include draught‑proofing tape or sealant for small gaps and fillers or draught excluders for larger openings.
You could also install high tog-rated underlays beneath carpets or flooring to create a thermal barrier that prevents heat loss through the floor.
Lack of soft furnishings
Hard floor materials like wood or laminate can allow cold to seep through, but large, dense rugs act as additional insulation layers and block draughts from the floor.
Meanwhile, warm textiles like wool throws, chunky cushions, and velvet accessories add physical warmth as well as a cosy aesthetic for autumn and winter.
Rugs and throws can keep a room warm (Picture: Getty Images)
Inadequate curtains
According to the Energy Saving Trust, around 18% of a home’s heat loss escapes through windows.
While ordinary blinds offer poor insulation, thermal curtains create a heat trap over glass surfaces, reducing heat escape and lowering heating bills.
A bonus tip is to keep curtains open during daylight to absorb sunlight warmth and close them at dusk to trap heat inside.
Blocked radiators
It can be tempting to put your sofa next to a radiator to keep you warm while watching TV on a winter evening, but this could be making the overall temperature of your home colder.
Barrow says: ‘While it might seem practical to have furniture near a heat source, these items can actually absorb a significant amount of warmth that would otherwise circulate through the room.’
She recommends leaving a few inches of space in front of radiators and ensuring curtains finish above, rather than drape over, the heating.
Leaving a clear space allows heat to move freely and makes the whole room feel warmer.
Insufficient insulation
Barrow notes that poor loft or wall insulation can allow a substantial proportion of heat to escape, and recommends a professional survey if homeowners suspect insulation gaps.
‘In older homes, insulation can be inconsistent, leading to heat escaping through poorly insulated walls or loft spaces,’ she says.
The recommended thickness for loft insulation is 270mm (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Even with the heating on, a home can lose up to 35% of its warmth through poorly insulated areas.’
Increasing loft insulation thickness from 120mm to the recommended 270mm dramatically reduces heat loss through the roof.
The Energy Saving Trust says installing 270mm of new loft insulation can save up to £230 a year on heating costs.
‘If budget is a concern, many homeowners in the UK are eligible for grants or subsidies that make adding insulation more affordable,’ Barrow adds.
Old boilers
Boilers older than 10 years run less efficiently than newer models, wasting fuel and money.
Upgrading to a modern condensing boiler can save around £260 annually on fuel bills.
Meanwhile, servicing your boiler once a year keeps it operating efficiently and extends its lifespan.
Thermostat settings
Barrow also emphasises the importance of setting thermostats correctly.
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Rather than frequently altering the temperature, she advises maintaining a steady, moderate setting.
Upgrading to a smart thermostat can provide finer control and schedules that keep rooms comfortable while cutting wasteful heating periods, a move that many energy advisers recommend as a cost‑effective way to manage bills.
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Programmable heating controls and room thermostats allow you to control the temperature of each radiator and, according to the Energy Saving Trust, is estimated to reduce bills by around £110 per year.
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