LifecanbetoffAs summer turns to autumn and then winter, I like to make sure I’m prepared to keep warm without flicking the central heating on. With soaring energy prices, I’m even more aware of keeping costs low but still keep warm without turning the heating on.
I have oil fired central heating and oil is not exactly the cheapest heating method, currently costing in the region of £450 for 500l (which is about half a tank). But oil is what I have. Therefore, I am very aware that I need to keep my heating bill low and find myself alternative ways to keep us warm.
I am generally a warm person anyway (in body heat not personality 😉 ) so I don’t find it too much of a struggle to keep myself toasty, but here are some of the ways I do!
Keep warm without turning the heating on
Cosy blankets galore!
I am not short of throws! Years spent freezing my nuts off (‘scuse the expression) meant that I developed a hunger for various throws of varying textures and colours.
On my bed I currently have a lovely ochre quilted throw from Catherine Lansfield. As it is quilted it really helps to keep me warm in bed.
I’ll let you in on a little secret though…I have an electric mattress protector.
I honestly couldn’t live without the dual control heated fleece mattress protector from Dreamland I purchased mine a couple of years ago and have not looked back since.
Yes it can be a slight drain on your electricity bill. But, it does mean that I can leave my heating off overnight and still maintain toasty toes in bed.
I tend to switch mine on for an hour (it has the choice of 1 hour or 9 hours) to help me sleep as I can get overheated if I leave it on. If I do find myself cold in the night, I’ll flick it on for another hour. Alternatives of course are a hot water bottle.
Elsewhere in the house, I have faux fur and other fleecy throws to keep me warm whilst snuggling on the sofa.
My cosy blanket must have!
I’d really love one of those chunky merino wool knit blankets and Gloucestershire based creative The Chunky Needle not only runs workshops to show you how to make these fab blankets (I’ve mentioned arm knitting previously in my “Unleashing your inner creative – My Creative Wishlist” post) but Courtney also sells a selection of ready made blankets and produces bespoke custom made creations using ethically sourced materials.
This beautiful sunset yellow 100% ethically sourced merino wool blanket would be just what I’m looking for to drape over my bed for additional warmth. Isn’t it just stunning?!
Did I also mention you can buy the wool you need direct from her to make your own too?
Open Fire/Woodburner
Ok, so not everyone can install a woodburner or open fire in their house, but I genuinely love my open fire.
Hunting around for logs and buying in bulk can help keep costs low. Shopping around is essential as is making sure you get seasoned logs. Kiln dried logs will burn better but they do burn faster so you’ll go through them a lot quicker. The price of firewood has risen slightly due to an increase in demand, but not to the same level as heating oil or gas prices.
The other benefit with my open fire is I can also use coal which burns hotter and longer – it just doesn’t create as pretty a flame as logs do! Check out my article on preparing your fireplace for winter to make sure you get the best out of your wood burner or open fire.
One of my lessons is to stock up during the summer.
Layers!
This is pretty obvious right?
If you’re wearing a thin top you’re going to be smuggling peanuts, so I find wearing lots of layers helps to keep me toasty.
When I get home from work, it’s not uncommon to find me lazing around in a pair of Minion jogging bottoms and a jumper and a hoodie.
The same goes for on your feet. I find that if my feet are warm, the rest of me holds a better temperature.
Jon very kindly bought me a pair of Sheepers sheepskin slippers for Christmas and they are genuinely the toastiest pair of footwear I’ve ever owned. It helps I pair them with socks.
I actually now own two pairs with one pair soon to be joining me as my footwear of choice at the office.
Food glorious food!
With winter comes the desire to eat less cold salad, ice cream (in most cases) and eat more warming foods like soups and casseroles.
I love soup in winter and am breaking out my soup maker nearly every weekend.
A favourite soup I keep meaning to share the recipe for is Butternut squash and leek soup. It’s so yummy and definitely helps keep cold feelings at bay.
Another new favourite of mine is the speedy sausage gnocchi gratin I found in the Sainsbury’s food magazine.
It is super simple to make (although not quite the fifteen minutes the recipe claims when I make it) but it’s so comforting and warm for cold evenings.
Of course drinking hot drinks also helps to keep you warm. I love nothing more than a hot chocolate complete with cream and marshmallows to keep me from being cold.
Open curtains/blinds to let the sun in
During the day opening the blinds to let the sun in can really help heat up a room as well as give a general impression of warmth.
However, on the flip side and something I’m not particularly great at doing is shutting the blinds at night. I live on a second floor flat surrounded by countryside so people seeing into my home at night is not a concern of mine.
But, I should really close my blinds to stop those pesky draughts from making their way into the rooms. And believe me, living in a Grade 1 listed building – there are plenty of draughty windows!
There are other options for windows to help you keep warm without turning the heating on and that is for secondary glazing. This isn’t always possible – particularly for me in rented accommodation, but there is a film you can buy off amazon which you stick to the frames of your windows and use a hairdryer to make the film taught. It’s not something I’ve looked into in any length but might just this year!
My Roman blind wish!
Equally, having good quality thick blinds or curtains will help to keep your home warm.
Currently, I have basic paper thin roller blinds on all my windows and would love to replace these with beautiful Roman blinds – particularly in my lounge and bedroom where I spend most of my time relaxing.
I really like the style of products that Sophie at Westonbirt Interiors creates.
Her hand sewn blinds, curtains and other soft furnishings offer quality fabrics which really fit with any country decor. Sophie also offers a free personal consultation at your home to discuss your ideas.
Sophie has access to an incredible range of fabrics to suit all tastes – including fabric with Highland Cows on and I’m obsessed with Highland Cows – I’d probably have this made as a cushion!
These are just a few of the ways in which I keep warm in an effort to keep my heating costs low but there are many other cost-saving ways to lower your bills. Living in the countryside has its perks but it also has its pitfalls and access to the gas line is one of mine!
Have you got any hints to keep warm without turning the heating on?
Peace out!
Jangles x
Brilliant post! Lots of fab tips! I love our woodburner. Wouldn’t be without it in the cold weather.
Having a fire not only warms us up physically but just seeing the fire makes me think I’m warm! X
There is nothing nicer than feeling warm and cosy in winter – cosy layers, decent slippers, some soup and bread – yes please!!
Add a book to that scenario and it’s perfect isn’t it!
Love these tips, although I think I’ve already adopted most of them. I’ve just been out to get some more logs in to light the fire tonight. And as I work from home, I’ve taken to sitting under a blanket in the day to keep warm! Keen to try your sausage gnocchi though 🙂
Oh I wish I could wrap myself in a blanket at work, the heating in my office is so out of whack! Oh you should, it’s really delicious!
[…] Summer is finally over. Autumn has crept in and from September 22nd is officially here. The nights are drawing in and it is getting darker earlier and earlier. The temperature is dropping and the rainy days are looming over us. It is therefore time to prepare for the cold weather and get ourselves safe and cosy for winter! […]