DIY Tasks to Keep Your Home Warm and Energy Efficient This Winter

**Collaborative Posts**

As the colder months set in, many of us start looking for ways to keep our homes cosy and warm without sending our already sky-high energy bills through the roof even more! The good news is, you don’t always need expensive renovations to make a real difference. With a few simple DIY tasks, you can improve your home’s warmth and energy efficiency this winter, and these are all things you can do/check yourself at home. One thing that is important to remember is to use the right equipment and materials for these tasks, either through your local shop or hardware store, or online retailers like Nationwide Supplies

Here are some practical projects you can tackle yourself:

1. Draught-Proof Your Doors and Windows

Draughts are one of the biggest culprits for heat loss in UK homes. If you have a window or door, etc, that has a gap, it can really let the cold in (or the heat out!), which can make it hard to warm your home up or keep it warm, even with your heating running. Check for gaps around external doors and windows, and use self-adhesive draught excluder strips or brush seals to block cold air from creeping in. You can also use a traditional draught excluder at the base of doors for extra protection.

2. Insulate Your Loft Hatch

Even if your loft is insulated, heat can still escape through an uninsulated loft hatch. Fit some insulation board to the hatch and ensure it has a good draught seal around the edges. This is a quick fix that can help stop valuable heat from drifting out of your loft space and creating a cold draft.

3. Use Thermal Curtains and Blinds

Swapping out thin curtains for heavier, thermal-lined options can significantly reduce heat loss through windows. Keep curtains open during the day to let the sun warm your rooms, then close them at dusk to trap the heat inside. You can also use long, floor length thermal curtains behind doors too, for example we have a small porch with a door that then leads into our living room, it can be cold and let in cold air so we hung a thermal curtain behind it (porch side) and it really helps stop heat escaping (or letting the cold in) and has made such a difference! 

4. Add Secondary Glazing Film

If double glazing isn’t an option, a budget-friendly alternative is secondary glazing film. It’s a clear plastic film you attach to the inside of your window frame with double-sided tape, then shrink it into place with a hairdryer. It’s almost invisible and can make a noticeable difference. The great thing about this is it can also be removed so perfect to use if you are in a rented property for example. 

5. Seal Up Floorboards and Skirting

Wooden floorboards and gaps along skirting boards can let in surprising amounts of cold air. A tube of flexible filler or sealant can help close those gaps, keeping the chill out and the warmth in. If you have a large area of wooded flooring in an area you use often it might also be worth investing in a good quality rug, especially for the winter months as it will be much warmer under your feet.

6. Check Your Roof and Loft Ventilation

Cold air and damp can enter through a poorly maintained roof. If you’re confident with DIY, inspect your loft for any slipped tiles or worn areas. While doing so, ensure your insulation is properly supported; sometimes additional roof battens, can be fitted to secure insulation materials and maintain airflow. This small step can make your home more energy-efficient while preventing long-term damage from moisture buildup. If you aren't confident in doing this, there are plenty of people who can be called to do it for you, and it shouldn't be too costly either (unless work is needed, of course).

7. Reflect Heat Back into Your Rooms

Placing reflective panels behind radiators, especially those located on external walls, can help bounce heat back into the room instead of allowing it to seep into the wall. These panels are inexpensive and easy to install yourself. You can usually purchase a large roll of this material that can then be cut to size for your radiators.

8. Bleed Your Radiators

Such an easy thing to do, but something so many of us forget to check at the start of each winter is whether or not radiators need bleeding. If your radiators are warm at the bottom but cold at the top, they may have trapped air inside. Bleeding them with a radiator key improves efficiency, meaning your boiler doesn’t need to work as hard to heat your home.

Taking on just a few of these DIY tasks can make your home feel noticeably warmer and more energy efficient this winter. Not only will you save on energy bills, but you’ll also be making your home more comfortable for the whole family.