Tips on keeping homes warm in cold weather

Published: 03 December 2025

As the colder weather starts, and energy use – and costs – increases, British Gas has shared a list of simple steps to help keep homes through warm winter. Many cost very little and can be carried out in just a few minutes.

One of the easiest tips is, after using the oven, turn it off and leave to door open so that the heat inside can help warm the kitchen for free (children and pets will need to be kept well away from the open door).

Another is to cover a sheet of card in tin foil and place it behind a radiator to reflect heat back into the room. Ready-made foil panels are also available.

Insulating hot water pipes with foam pipe lagging helps water stay hotter for longer and prevents pipes from freezing in very cold weather.

Checking for draughts around doors and windows and blocking gaps with draught excluders and insulating tape can help keep more warmth inside.

Radiators should also be checked. If the top feels cold while the bottom is hot, the radiator needs bleeding. Doing this will release air trapped inside to improve efficiency and enable the radiator to heat the room properly.

Closing curtains before it is dark will help keep warmth in rooms.

British Gas also recommends that boilers should be serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Further information and tips may be found on the British Gas web site.