Photo: Ivan Babydov

How do you keep warm in 20 degree weather?

Layer up Wearing lots of layers, rather than one thick piece of clothing, is a smart way to keep warm in winter. Base layers such as thermal vests or long sleeve tops are fairly inexpensive and can work well to trap heat. Keep a look out for clothing made from wool, cotton or fleecy fabric.

bhf.org.uk - 6 cost-effective ways to keep the heat in | BHF

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6 cost-effective ways to keep the heat in

With energy bills more expensive than ever before, we share some budget-friendly ways to stay safe and cosy this winter.

1. Layer up

Wearing lots of layers, rather than one thick piece of clothing, is a smart way to keep warm in winter. Base layers such as thermal vests or long sleeve tops are fairly inexpensive and can work well to trap heat. Keep a look out for clothing made from wool, cotton or fleecy fabric. One reader, Irene Horsburgh, said: "Layer your clothes, even inside. Get a good warm pair of slippers and wear socks with them." "Make sure you change your duvet and blankets to winter ones and that your pyjamas are warm," added another reader. Cost of living: tips for saving money and staying well Access our help and advice

2. Keep draughts out and heat in

Try and block any areas in your home that are particularly draughty, including around window frames, keyholes and under doors. Keep your curtains open in the day to let light and warmth in, and draw them before it gets dark to avoid losing heat.

3. Be clever with heating

If you're worried about the cost of electricity, be selective about how you heat your home. One reader said: “I heat one room and spend most of my time there." Try and keep the room where you spend most of your time, such as your living room or bedroom, heated to at least 18°C if you can. Remember to turn off the radiators in hallways or rooms that aren't being used, and close doors to trap heat in certain areas. Only heat areas of the house as you need them. For example, you might choose to turn the heating on in your bedroom just before bed. You can also use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket to keep you warm at night.

4. Make warming food and drinks

Eating a healthy balanced diet that includes at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day can help your immune system to work well during winter. Have regular hot drinks and food such as porridge, soups and stews to keep yourself warm. Remember that frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables (if there’s no added salt or sugar) are just as healthy as fresh, and can be more affordable if they’re out of season in winter. If you're trying to keep your energy bill down, using a slow cooker, microwave, or air fryer could help you to reduce costs, compared to an oven-baked meal.

5. Get moving

Keep as active as possible to boost your circulation. Move around at least once an hour and avoid sitting still for long periods. Even light exercise will help keep you warm. When you do sit down, put your feet up as it’s coldest nearest the ground.

6. Check what support you can get

You may be eligible for certain grants and benefits to help reduce the cost of your energy bill this winter.

Published December 2022

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*With the sheet laid flat, and the relative humidity within the building at 100%,and the temperature on the inside of the building 17°C higher than the outside temperature, 1037 g/m2 water was absorbed by NonDrip before it started to drip. **This is an average time to drip for a roof pitch of 20 degrees given the relative humidity within the building at 100%, internal temperature of 40 degrees and the temperature on the inside of the building 17°C higher than the outside temperature. If the roof pitch is increased the time to drip will be somewhat shorter while lower angles will exceed 6 hours. ***With the relative humidity within the building at 50%, and the temperature on the inside of the building at 23°C, the drying speed was 80 g/m2/h.

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