5 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter Without Turning the Heating On

*This is a collaborative post.

Heating costs are on the rise; as of the 1st of October 2025 the energy price cap rose by 2%.
While it has been frustrating and difficult for many people to cope with the surge in energy prices in the past few years, there are some methods we can use to keep these costs down as much as possible.

Here are 5 ways that your household can stay warm this winter without relying solely on putting the heating on.

Seal Up Gaps

Sealing gaps and cracks around your windows and doors plays a key role in preventing heat from escaping your home. When gaps are present, your heating system is forced to work harder, which can be costly in terms of bills. Sealing them takes pressure off the heating system and reduces the amount of energy you need to use.

Over the course of the autumn and winter period, effective sealing can cut your heating bills down by 10% to 20%.

Things to bear in mind:

• Check around windows, doors, and attic spaces to make sure you’ve got all bases covered.
• Use durable sealant for long-lasting protection.
• Make sure the sealant is evenly applied and covers gaps without leaving holes, but never block purpose-built vents, trickle vents, or air bricks.

Wrap Up

A more obvious shout than the previous sealant point, but one that is a genuine money saver!
Encourage the rest of your family or household to wear jumpers and thermal layers inside. It doesn’t mean that you have to turn the heating completely off, but leaning on warm clothing can reduce the heating temperature you need to stay warm.

Top tip:

Wool and fleece clothing retain heat more effectively than cotton, which loses its insulation properties when it’s damp.
If wearing warmer clothing can enable you to reduce your heating temperature by a mere 2° to 3°C, you can cut down your energy bills by 14% to 30% throughout the cold season.

Consume Warm Food and Drinks

Hot food and drinks heat your body from the inside out, which increases your core temperature and helps you stay warm when it’s cold.

Eating hot soup, stew, or spicy foods increases your stomach’s temperature, which signals to your brain that your body is internally heating up, making you feel warmer. Spicy food ingredients like chilli peppers contain capsaicin, which is able to trick your body into feeling hot through the activation of heat receptors in your skin and mouth,

Drinking warm liquids (such as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate) encourages your blood vessels that are close to the skin constrict, helping reduce the amount of heat your body’s surface loses, scientifically known as vasoconstriction.

Exercise Indoors

Movement and exercise is a fantastic way of heating yourself up without turning the heating on.

You don’t need a home gym, or even dumbbells to get yourself warm through exercising. Instead you can do one or more of the following:

• Jumping Jacks: They quickly get your heart rate up.
• Bodyweight Squats: These train your legs and glutes and increase blood flow.
• Press-ups: An effective way of training your upper body, they help pump blood around the body.

In summary, exercise causes the muscles to contract and work hard. The increase in muscle activity requires more energy and for this energy to be produced, your body burns calories through a process which is known as cellular respiration.

A byproduct is heat. The muscles in your body generate heat as a natural side effect of exercise, which in turns increases the core temperature of your body.

Layer Bedding

Layering your bedding helps trap warm air while keeping the cold out. It’s handy as you can add or remove layers depending on the temperature you want, providing controlled comfort.

Tips for layering bedding:

• Use a fitted sheet as your base.
• Add a flat sheet or light blanket to create a soft barrier.
• Use a middle layer blanket for warmth.
• Top it off with a duvet or comforter to provide strong insulation.

Flannel sheets are warm and snug, great for the winter months. Wool blankets are breathable, but also highly effective natural insulators. 

Thanks for Reading

Keeping yourself warm in the winter can be expensive, but it doesn’t always need to be. Employ the methods into your routine to stay warm without having to put the heating on full blast.

Hopefully this piece has given you some useful suggestions for battling the cold this winter.