You can make your home feel warmer by using your heating controls carefully, keeping radiators clear, closing curtains after dark, reducing suitable draughts and checking areas where heat may escape. Start with simple changes before considering insulation or alterations to your heating system.
This article provides general information for homes in England and Wales. The right action will depend on your property, heating system and agreement. Follow product and manufacturer instructions, and contact your landlord, managing agent, housing provider or a qualified professional if you are unsure.
If you rent, own through Shared Ownership or are a leaseholder, check your agreement before making permanent alterations.
Guinness Homes is proud to provide award-winning Shared Ownership and private sale homes in areas you want to live.
Make better use of your heating
Match your heating schedule to your routine
Check when your heating comes on and goes off. A schedule that no longer reflects when you are at home could mean heating an empty property or warming rooms for longer than needed.
If you have a programmer or programmable thermostat, set it around your household routine. Allow time for your home to warm up before you want the rooms to feel comfortable.
A compatible smart thermostat can provide app-based control and show when your heating is running. Before buying one, check that it works with your heating system and whether professional installation is required.
Review the schedule whenever your routine or the weather changes rather than relying on the same settings throughout the year.
Give radiators room to circulate heat
Move large furniture away from radiators where possible and make sure curtains do not cover them when the heating is on. This gives warm air more space to circulate around the room.
Avoid drying wet washing directly on radiators. It can restrict the movement of warm air and release more moisture into your home.
A radiator that is cold at the top but warm at the bottom may contain trapped air. Check the heating system’s instructions before taking action. If you rent, use communal heating or do not recognise the system, report the problem to your landlord, managing agent or housing provider.
Leaks, recurring pressure problems and radiators that remain cold may require professional attention.
Use lower radiator settings in less-used rooms
Thermostatic radiator valves, commonly called TRVs, allow you to adjust the heating level in individual rooms.
Rooms used less frequently will not necessarily need as much heat as a living room or bedroom. Turning the valve to a lower setting can be more appropriate than switching the radiator off completely.
Allowing a room to become very cold can contribute to condensation on windows, walls and other cold surfaces.
TRVs regulate the flow of hot water through individual radiators. They normally work alongside the main thermostat rather than replacing it.
Check your boiler flow temperature
Some compatible condensing combi boilers can operate more effectively with a lower radiator flow temperature. This is the temperature of the water sent to the radiators, not the temperature of water stored in a hot-water cylinder.
A lower flow temperature will not suit every boiler, property or heating system. It can also mean that rooms take longer to warm up.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions or ask a qualified heating engineer before changing boiler settings. Do not alter communal heating equipment or controls you do not recognise.
The UK Health Security Agency recommends trying to heat regularly used rooms, such as the living room and bedroom, to at least 18°C. Individual needs vary, and older people, young children and people with certain health conditions or reduced mobility may need a warmer home.
Health and comfort should take priority over reducing energy use.
Keep warmth inside your rooms
Use curtains and blinds at the right time
Open curtains and blinds when sunlight is entering the room. Close them after dark to reduce the movement of warm air towards cold windows.
Make sure curtains do not hang over radiators, as this can direct heat towards the window instead of into the room.
Thermal curtains may help around particularly cold windows, but they should not block trickle vents or other necessary ventilation. Keep curtains and blinds away from heaters, cookers, candles and other heat sources.
Make hard floors more comfortable
Tiles, laminate and other hard floors can feel cold underfoot. A well-positioned rug provides a warmer surface in areas where people regularly sit or walk.
Use a suitable non-slip backing and check that the rug does not obstruct doors, cover floor vents or create a trip hazard.
If your home has underfloor heating, check the manufacturer’s instructions before choosing a rug. Thick materials and some types of backing can restrict how heat passes into the room.
Reduce draughts without blocking ventilation
Cold air may enter around window frames, external doors, letterboxes, loft hatches or places where pipes pass through walls.
A removable fabric draught excluder can be suitable for some doors. Before attaching strips, brushes or covers to windows or external doors, check that the change is permitted and will not affect ventilation, fire safety or the operation of the fitting.
There is an important difference between an unwanted draught and necessary ventilation. Never block:
- Air bricks
- Window trickle vents
- Extractor fans or outlets
- Boiler flues
- Vents serving fires or fuel-burning appliances
- Other purpose-built ventilation
If the cause of a draught is unclear, or the affected area forms part of a communal space or building structure, report it rather than filling it without advice.
Check insulation and exposed pipework
Consider insulation for exposed pipes
Insulating suitable exposed hot-water and heating pipes can reduce heat loss. It can also help protect vulnerable water pipes in unheated areas during cold weather.
Only work on pipes that are safely accessible and clearly form part of your home. Do not interfere with communal pipework, boilers, flues or electrical equipment.
Pipe insulation is available in different sizes and for different locations. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ask a qualified professional about inaccessible pipes or pipework near specialist equipment.
Insulation can reduce the risk of pipes freezing, but it cannot guarantee protection during a prolonged period of very cold weather.
Review your loft insulation
A poorly insulated roof can allow heat to escape. Your Energy Performance Certificate may indicate whether your property could benefit from more loft insulation.
If the loft can be viewed safely from its access point, obvious gaps or compressed insulation may warrant further investigation. Do not enter an unfamiliar, unsuitable or difficult-to-access loft space.
Around 270mm is a commonly cited depth for conventional mineral wool loft insulation. The appropriate specification depends on the insulation material, roof construction and existing installation.
Ask a qualified installer to assess a loft containing:
- Damp or condensation
- Unsafe or unsuitable boarding
- Exposed or uncertain wiring
- Unidentified materials
- Complex ventilation arrangements
- Water tanks or extensive pipework
If you rent, are a leaseholder or own through Shared Ownership, check whether the loft forms part of your home and whether permission is required before arranging work.
Homeowners in England and Wales can use the GOV.UK home energy service to explore possible improvements based on their property.
Manage condensation and damp
Balance heating, moisture and ventilation
Cooking, showering and drying laundry release moisture into the air. Condensation can form when that moisture reaches a cold window, wall or other surface.
These everyday actions can help manage moisture:
- Use extractor fans during and after cooking or showering
- Keep trickle vents and necessary ventilation open
- Put lids on pans
- Dry washing outside where possible
- Avoid drying wet clothes directly on radiators
- Leave some space between large furniture and cold external walls
- Wipe water from windows and sills
Condensation can be affected by heating, ventilation, everyday moisture and the condition of the building. Residents are not expected to diagnose or repair building defects.
Not every damp patch is caused by condensation. Leaking pipes, damaged roofs, defective gutters and water entering through the building can produce similar symptoms.
A dehumidifier may help manage moisture caused by condensation. It will not repair a leak, inadequate ventilation or a defective part of the building, and it will use electricity while operating.
Persistent or recurring damp and mould needs to be investigated so that the underlying cause can be identified and addressed.
If you rent, report damp, mould, leaks or defective ventilation promptly. Photographs can help show the location and extent of the problem, but you should still report it if you cannot provide them. Tell your landlord or housing provider if someone’s health may be affected.
The GOV.UK guidance on damp and mould explains the possible health effects and why underlying causes need to be investigated.
Stay warm safely
Use warm layers and hot-water bottles with care
Several thinner layers can retain warmth more effectively than one thick layer. Warm socks and an extra layer can be useful when working at a desk or sitting still.
Clothing should support suitable home heating rather than replace it. Babies, young children, older people and people with health conditions affected by the cold may need additional care.
A hot-water bottle can provide localised warmth, but a damaged or incorrectly used bottle can cause burns.
Check the bottle and stopper for signs of damage before use. Follow the manufacturer’s filling and replacement instructions, never use freshly boiled water and use a suitable cover. Avoid prolonged contact with your skin, and do not sit or lie directly on the bottle.
Hot-water bottles should not be placed in a baby’s cot or bed. Replace a bottle if it shows signs of cracking, leaking or deterioration. The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service also advises replacing hot-water bottles two to three years after first use, even if no damage is visible.
Understand your home’s energy performance
12. Check your home’s Energy Performance Certificate
An Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, provides an assessment of a property’s energy performance. It considers features such as the property’s construction, insulation and heating system.
An EPC gives the property an energy-efficiency rating from A to G and may include:
- Its current and potential rating
- Estimated energy use
- Typical energy costs based on standard assumptions
- Recommended improvements
- Indicative installation costs and savings
These costs and savings are estimates, not a prediction of the bills for a particular household. Actual energy costs depend on the tariff, weather, property size, number of occupants and how heating, hot water and appliances are used.
You can find an existing EPC on GOV.UK using the property’s address or certificate number. The GOV.UK register covers properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a separate EPC register.
If there is no valid certificate, you can find an accredited energy assessor.
Before arranging an improvement recommended on an EPC:
- Check whether it remains suitable for the property
- Review your tenancy agreement or lease
- Confirm whether permission is required
- Check for shared heating, ventilation or building systems
- Obtain current quotations
- Use an appropriately qualified installer
Responsibility for repairs and alterations depends on the terms of the tenancy or lease, the type of property and any applicable warranty or initial repair period. Check your documents and contact your landlord, managing agent or housing provider before arranging work.
The GOV.UK information about Shared Ownership repairs and improvements provides general guidance. The terms applying to individual homes can differ.
Looking for a new home?
Explore Shared Ownership and private sale homes from Guinness Homes. When comparing properties, consider the individual EPC and specification alongside the purchase price and ongoing housing costs.
Availability, tenure, specification and EPC ratings vary by home and development. Check the information provided for the individual property.
View Guinness Homes developments
Are new-build homes usually more energy efficient?
On average, new dwellings tend to receive higher EPC ratings than existing homes, but there are exceptions. A well-improved older home may have a higher rating than an individual new-build property, so always check the EPC for the home you are considering.
An EPC rating reflects assessed energy performance. It does not guarantee comfort, build quality, energy use or future bills.
Depending on its individual design and specification, a new home may include:
- Insulation installed to meet the building requirements applying when it was constructed
- Double or triple glazing
- A modern heating system and controls
- Energy-efficient fixed lighting
- Property-specific ventilation measures
When comparing homes, consider:
- The full EPC
- The type of heating system
- Whether heating or hot water is communal
- The property’s size, position and orientation
- The glazing and ventilation arrangements
- The individual specification
- Your likely pattern of energy use
A higher EPC rating does not guarantee that one property will cost less to heat than another. Household behaviour, energy tariffs, property size and weather affect actual use and cost.
Energy bills are separate from mortgage payments, rent on the share you do not own and any service charge.
You can search for a home with Guinness Homes or read the Guinness Homes guide to EPCs for new builds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the quickest ways to make a home feel warmer?
Check your heating schedule, move furniture away from radiators and close curtains after dark. Draught-proofing appropriate gaps can also reduce unwanted cold-air movement, provided necessary ventilation remains open.
What temperature should a home be in winter?
The right temperature depends on the household. The UK Health Security Agency recommends trying to heat rooms used regularly to at least 18°C. Individual needs vary, and some people may need a warmer home.
Can a dehumidifier remove damp and mould?
A dehumidifier can help manage moisture caused by condensation. It cannot repair leaks, damaged building components or other underlying problems. Persistent damp or mould should be reported and investigated.
Where can I find my home’s EPC?
You can search for an Energy Performance Certificate on GOV.UK using the property’s address or certificate number.
