Heat Is Escaping
Poor insulation can allow warmth to escape through the roof, walls, floors, windows and doors.
Keeping Your Home Warm
How to Keep Warm in a Cold House
If your home feels cold even when the heating is on, the problem may be caused by heat escaping through poorly insulated areas, unwanted draughts, inefficient heating controls or older windows and doors.
The best approach is to identify where the cold is coming from and tackle the biggest sources of heat loss first.
Quick Answer
Why Does My House Feel So Cold?
Cold Air Is Getting In
Unwanted gaps around windows, doors, floors and other openings can make rooms feel noticeably colder.
Heat Is Not Being Used Effectively
Heating controls, radiator performance and the way rooms are heated can all affect how comfortable the house feels.
Start Here
Work Out Why Your House Is Cold
Before turning the heating up further, look for signs that warmth is being lost unnecessarily.
✓ Feel for draughts around windows and external doors
✓ Check whether certain rooms or floors are noticeably colder than others
✓ Look for obvious gaps around frames, skirting boards and pipework
✓ Check whether radiators are heating evenly
✓ Consider whether the loft, walls or floors have adequate insulation
Finding the cause first can help you choose a more effective solution instead of simply using more heating.
Stop Unwanted Cold Air
Draught-Proof Windows and Doors
Check Opening Windows
Worn seals or gaps around opening sections can allow cold air to enter. Suitable draught-proofing strips can sometimes help where the window itself is otherwise in good condition.
Check External Doors
Look around the edges and bottom of external doors for noticeable draughts. Door seals, brushes and suitable draught excluders can reduce unwanted gaps.
Important: do not block trickle vents, ventilation grilles or other openings that are intentionally provided for ventilation.
Reduce Heat Loss
Check Your Home's Insulation
Insulation helps slow the movement of heat out of the property and can make a major difference to how easy the home is to keep warm.
Loft or Roof
An inadequately insulated loft or roof can allow a considerable amount of warmth to escape upwards.
Walls
Depending on the age and construction of the property, cavity or solid wall insulation may help reduce heat loss.
Floors
Some properties can also lose heat through floors, particularly where suspended floors have little or no insulation.
Simple Improvements
Use Curtains and Natural Sunlight
Open Curtains During the Day
When sunlight is reaching a window, opening curtains or blinds can allow some solar warmth into the room.
Close Them When It Gets Dark
Thick or thermally lined curtains can provide an additional barrier at the window during colder evenings and nights.
Heating Efficiency
Make Sure Your Heating Is Working Effectively
Use Heating Controls
Timers, thermostats and suitable radiator controls can help heat rooms when and where warmth is actually needed.
Check Your Radiators
If a radiator has cold areas or does not seem to heat properly, the heating system may need attention rather than simply increasing the thermostat.
Maintain the Heating System
Boilers and other heating systems should be maintained appropriately so they can operate as intended.
Everyday Comfort
Focus Warmth Where You Need It
Keep Internal Doors Closed
Closing doors between heated and cooler areas can help prevent warm air from immediately spreading into spaces that are not being used.
Make Cold Floors More Comfortable
Rugs and floor coverings can make hard floors feel more comfortable underfoot, particularly in older homes during winter.
Additional Heating
Use Portable Heaters Carefully
A portable heater can provide additional warmth in a particular room, but it should always be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Keep heaters well away from curtains, furniture, bedding, clothing and other materials that could catch fire, and never use a portable heater to dry clothes.
If a heater is damaged, has loose wiring or appears unsafe, stop using it and have it checked or replaced.
Windows and Doors
Could Old Windows or Doors Be Making Your Home Colder?
Draught-proofing can be useful when the existing windows and doors are still in good condition, but older or deteriorated products may have more substantial problems.
Worn seals, damaged frames, older glazing or doors that no longer close correctly can all affect comfort around the opening.
Modern energy-efficient windows and doors are designed to reduce heat loss and cold spots compared with inefficient older products.
Cold Around the Windows?
If you regularly notice draughts, cold spots or ageing glazing, it may be worth having the windows assessed.
Explore our windowsCold Around External Doors?
Poorly fitting or deteriorated external doors can also create unwanted draughts and uncomfortable cold areas around entrances.
Explore our doors
Common Questions
Cold House FAQs
Why is my house cold even when the heating is on?
Possible causes include inadequate insulation, unwanted draughts, inefficient windows or doors, heating-system problems or heat being distributed poorly around the property.
How can I make a cold house warmer cheaply?
Start by finding and reducing unwanted draughts, using curtains effectively, checking heating controls and addressing obvious gaps. Larger insulation improvements may provide a more substantial long-term benefit.
Should I seal every gap around my windows?
No. Unwanted draughts can be sealed, but intentional ventilation such as trickle vents and ventilation grilles should not simply be blocked.
Will replacing my windows make my house warmer?
If existing windows are old, inefficient or draughty, modern energy-efficient glazing can help reduce heat loss and cold spots. Whether replacement is worthwhile depends on the condition and performance of the existing windows.
Are Your Windows or Doors Making Your Home Feel Cold?
If your existing windows or doors are draughty, ageing or no longer performing as they should, speak to St Helens Windows about the options available for your home.