With the festive season wrapped up for another year and the new year still a few days away, many folks will be relishing some downtime at home. However, the nippy winter temperatures may have necessitated more frequent use of heating to keep your home snug during the holiday period.
So, if you’re aiming to save some money by reducing your energy bills after a few days of indulgence, one time to make adjustments is during the night. According to an expert, you don’t need to keep the heating on to enjoy a restful night’s sleep, reports the Mirror.
In fact, by making a few simple tweaks to your bedroom, you can stay warm in bed and “fall asleep faster”. Lisa Davis, Product Advisor at Opera Beds, has divulged five straightforward tips to keep your bedroom cosy this winter.
The first thing she suggests is reorganising your furniture. “Positioning your bed on interior walls is generally best, as these walls are less prone to temperature fluctuations and allow consistent warmth throughout the night,” she clarified.
“It would help if you also placed the bed away from windows, as even the most insulated windows can lose heat and let in cold draughts.
“Avoid blocking radiators with furniture, which can limit their efficiency, and consider putting a rug on hard floors to add insulation and reduce heat loss.”
Another crucial step is to make sure all draughts are blocked. Lisa recommends using weather stripping and window film on windows and doors, stating that this “can have a much bigger impact than you might expect”.
She adds: “To find any draughts in your home, you can feel for air movement around doors, windows, floorboards, beams, skirting boards, and air conditioning units.
“You can also use the simple trick of holding a lit match near potential leaks to see if it flickers. Keep doors to unused rooms closed to focus warmth where it’s most needed and use a draught excluder to block cold air from under doors.”
To keep your bedroom warm, Lisa says it’s important to close any curtains after sunset. She suggests using curtains with a thermal lining, as they are particularly effective at insulating against cold air from windows.
“The best curtain materials for retaining warmth are thick, heavy fabrics like wool, velvet, or fleece,” she said. “If you’re on a budget, use a shower curtain behind regular curtains as an extra layer.”
There are some easy changes to your bedding that can help, too.
Using flannel or brushed cotton sheets in the colder months can help you feel warmer as they help retain body heat. By adding multiple layers like a duvet, throw blankets or even a weighted blanket, you can make it easier to adjust your warmth through the night.
Lisa went on to say: “Investing in a good-quality winter duvet with a high tog, between 10.5 and 13.5, is best. Opt for insulating materials like wool or fleece for better heat retention, and consider a mattress topper for added warmth; memory foam or wool are great options.”
She also suggested using a hot water bottle or an electric blanket to make your bed cosier. “Ensure your bottle is in good condition with no leaks and don’t use it directly on your skin,” Lisa advises.
“Pre-warming the bed, especially around your feet, can help you relax and fall asleep faster. We recently found that running an electric blanket is 60X cheaper than central heating, at just 2.5p an hour on average. So, an electric blanket is also a great option to heat your bed and keep a consistent warmth through the night. However, never use a hot water bottle and an electric blanket together.”