Britainupdated 44m ago2 min read
UK Urges Families To Keep Homes Warmer With Layers, Electric Blankets
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Rising energy prices urge households to avoid immediate heating and seek warmer routines. Experts advise delaying thermostat use and employing practical measures to stay warm.
One story. Different accounts.
Explore source coverage 3 source types
Directory totals describe our source library, not outlets checked for this story.
Keeping Warm, Not Hot
The UK braces for a chilly weekend with powerful winds and heavy rain hitting parts of the country, and it urged families to keep homes warmer for longer without cranking up heating just yet. The British Heart Foundation recommended wearing lots of thin layers rather than one thick layer to trap heat in, and Natalie, 29, said she replaced some of the clothes she wears round the house with supermarket thermal leggings and tops and that "it's made such a difference". Amber Waring, 27, from Devon, said she eats warm meals like stews and pasta bakes and dances round the kitchen with her toddler while they cook to help keep warm.
Emily Seymour, energy editor at consumer organisation Which?, said using an electric blanket is "one of the cheapest ways" to stay warm, and she said testing by Which? shows it typically costs between 2p and 8p an hour to run at its highest setting. The London Fire Brigade said to unplug your blanket before you get into bed unless it has a thermostat control, and it said not to use a hot water bottle at the same time.
Bed, Curtains, and Drafts
Rebecca, 44, from Hertfordshire, said she sleeps with a blanket underneath her mattress because it stops draughts, and she said, "This was passed to me by my nan, she swore by it". Sophie Burr of charity National Energy Action suggested looking at secondary glazing or investing in thermal curtains to help keep the heat. The BBC advised people to open curtains and let the sun heat the room during the day, and it quoted Rebecca saying, "If it's sunny outside, open the curtains so the sun heats the room, then shut them when the sun sets to keep the heat in".
Lianne Macfarlane, 40, from Cheshire, recommended leaving your oven door open after using it to help warm your kitchen, and she said, "If you're using a hot appliance, let the heat into the room". Emily Seymour said gaps around doors can cause heat to escape, and she recommended looking for other draughts in your house and either finding ways to seal these spots yourself or calling in a professional to help.
Energy Costs and Warnings
Rising energy prices make heating homes more expensive, and it warned that if you're elderly or vulnerable you shouldn't compromise your health. The clocks going back this weekend means nights will be drawing in, and it advised bringing out a thicker duvet now if you have one. Some supermarkets sell winter duvets for under £20 and it told readers to look for 10.5 tog or higher.
Keep doors closed to trap heat in the room you're in, and it advised placing curtains or blankets over your doors for extra insulation. Seymour saying, "If it's sunny outside, open the curtains so the sun heats the room, then shut them when the sun sets to keep the heat in," linked daylight use to keeping warmth inside.