Your old-time guide to keeping warm

We asked readers to share their tips on saving energy and keeping warm now that winter has finally arrived. Rachel Mortimer spills the beans

Temperatures have dropped this week and it now feels like winter has finally arrived, but households will have been reluctant to reach for their thermostat. Central heating costs have doubled this winter, with the unit price of gas rising from 4p to 10p since last year.

The typical energy bill has been capped at £2,500 by the Government until April, but this only limits the rate at which households are charged per unit. Those which use more energy will see their bills rise potentially much higher than the cap.

Keeping energy usage to a minimum will be paramount for households wanting to stay warm without wasting money this winter. Turning the thermostat down by just one degree could reduce bills by as much as 10pc, according to the Energy Saving Trust. But micromanaging the thermostat can only go so far.

So we asked Telegraph readers for their best old-fashioned tips for saving energy and keeping warm. From “micro” workouts to get the blood pumping, to homemade draft excluders and carefully positioned solar panels and hot water bottles, they delivered the goods.

UNPACK THE THERMALS

An oldie, but a good one. How many times has your mum told you to put another jumper on before reaching for the thermostat?

Layering up traps warm air between clothing and helps insulate the body. Our readers are fond of thermal base layers and fleece lined trousers.

One reader said: “Wear thermal underwear – socks, leggings and vest – tucked into each other and a baggier fleece or jumper on top and make sure you keep your throat and feet warm. Keeping the person warm is more efficient than trying to keep the whole space warm.”

Demand for blankets has surged – sales of throws are up 80pc at John Lewis compared with last winter. Meanwhile, sales of electric blankets have jumped by 60pc and hot water bottles sales have more than doubled.

CLING FILM YOUR WINDOWS An estimated 10pc to 20pc of the average household’s heat escapes through their windows, so winter- proofing them is key to saving energy. But the solution does not require upgrading to expensive triple glazing this winter.

Reader Elizabeth Goodall advised sticking cling film over the window pane when the temperature drops outside. Ms Goodall said: “It significantly reduces the cold coming into the room even through double glazing.”

GIVE YOUR BOILER AND RADIATORS SOME TLC Central heating systems are easily neglected in the milder months of the year, during which air becomes trapped in radiators and makes them far less efficient (and expensive) to run.

If your radiators are clanging, it is time to bleed them and release any air. Experts recommend this once a year.

Also don’t forget the boiler. Our reader Michael Phillips said having his boiler serviced transformed his energy usage. Mr Phillips advised: “Get the filter cleaned or replaced and check the efficiency of the heat pump, which may need replacing. Then have the entire heating system power flushed through.

“This will cost, but the result is that my thermostat is now on 15 and my radiator valves on three. The house is now as warm as when the thermostat was on 20 and the radiator valves on five.”

CURTAINS PULL IT ALL TOGETHER Many of our readers told us they had cut their energy bills by using their curtains wisely. One gentleman attached thermal linings to his drapes and significantly improved the temperature of his living room while reducing his heating