Stay warm during the night without using central heating
As temperatures drop and winter approaches, keeping warm and comfy throughout the night becomes increasingly challenging without relying on central heating. While numerous strategies exist for keeping warm during daylight hours, preserving body heat while lying in bed can be more of a challenge.
However, there are several ingenious techniques can ensure you remain cosy without splashing out and having to spend a fortune on your heating bills. A woman called Kat, who regularly creates content laying out money-saving strategies, has turned to TikTok to reveal six methods she employs to stay warm at night during colder periods, all without using central heating. “Six ways to stay warm at night without central heating,” Kat’s TikTok post read.
Use warmer bedding and sheets
As her initial suggestion, Kat advised switching to flannel sheets and fleece bedding, explaining these materials prove far more effective at maintaining warmth compared to cotton or linen alternatives.
Bedding crafted from these fabrics can make your bed feel immediately warmer upon getting in, eliminating the need for electrical appliances.
Get an electric or weighted blanket
However, for those seeking additional warmth, Kat suggests the use of electric or weighted blankets. Electric blankets are an efficient way to stay warm without relying on central heating, offering a more cost-effective solution.
On average, running an electric blanket costs just a few pence per hour, while central heating can cost between £1.44 and £1.78 per hour, although this varies depending on your home. A weighted blanket, on the other hand, fits snugly around you, trapping warmth inside the duvet and preventing it from escaping.
Invest in a thicker duvet
Kat also advises her viewers to consider purchasing a higher tog duvet. Generally, a 1.0-4.5 tog is recommended for summer, a 7.5-10.5 tog for spring and autumn, and a 12.0-15.0 tog for winter.
A 10.5 tog may suffice if your bedroom maintains a consistent temperature of between 18 and 21 degrees, but a 13.5 tog is suggested for colder rooms or for people who tend to feel the cold. For a versatile, year-round option, a 10.5 tog duvet strikes a good balance, providing warmth in the colder months without becoming too hot as temperatures begin to rise.
Wear fleece or wool pyjamas
Just as with your bedding, ensuring your pyjamas are made from a warmer fabric, such as fleece or wool, can also help keep you cosy.
These types of pyjamas are available at various price points and can often be found in shops like Primark during the winter months. As a significant amount of body heat often escapes through your feet, putting on a pair of warm socks before bed can ensure you remain snug and toasty.
Use a hot water bottle
Hot water bottles are an inexpensive and effective method to keep yourself warm or to preheat your bed. However, it’s crucial to use them safely.
Manufacturers, supported by accident prevention charities and medical professionals, generally advise replacing your hot water bottle every two to three years, likely for safety reasons.
An Australian study on hot water bottle safety revealed more than 80 per cent of more than 100 hospital admissions due to burns from a hot water bottle were caused by the bottle bursting, splitting, or leaking. Therefore, it’s recommended to mix hot and cold water in the water bottle as a precaution against bursting or spillage.
Add carpet or a rug
Lastly, Kat suggests introducing a carpet or a large rug into your bedroom. While this may seem like a substantial expense, it will assist in retaining heat in your room rather than allowing it to escape through the floorboards.
Carpet functions as an insulator, trapping air in its fibres to slow heat loss from the floor and prevent drafts. This is especially true when combined with a good underlay, which further reduces heat loss and provides a warmer feel underfoot compared to hard surfaces like tile or hardwood.
