The energy price cap might be down to £1,720, but bills are still painfully high, and not expected to stay put for long. With forecasts hinting at another rise early next year, a lot of households are now thinking twice before turning the heating on.

If you’re renting, keeping an eye on costs, or just don’t see the point in warming rooms you’re not using, it’s a good time to rethink how you stay warm by exploring cost-effective alternatives.

Indoor living experts Vonhaus suggest practical tips to cut back this colder season, without giving up comfort. With a few simple habits and a better approach to holding onto heat, it’s entirely possible to stay cosy all winter without touching the thermostat.

Target the heat, not the house

One of the easiest ways to bring your heating costs down is to stop warming rooms no one’s using. In most homes, radiators come on by default in every space, even if you’re only spending time in the living room or a home office.

If that sounds familiar, make a few small changes. Turn radiators down in unused rooms and keep the doors shut. It helps the spaces you do use heat up faster and stay warmer for longer. You’ll be more comfortable where it matters, without wasting energy elsewhere.

Get smart with electric heat

Running your central heating for an hour can cost around 80p to £1, depending on your system and tariff. A low‑wattage heated throw or electric blanket costs a fraction of that, as low as 19p per night. And unlike whole‑home heating, the warmth is instant, direct, and right where you need it.

Laura Bradbury, Head of Eccomrce at Vonhaus says:

“Products like heated throws and electric blankets have become winter staples for a reason. They’re soft, warm up fast, and make it easy to stay comfortable wherever you’re sitting or sleeping. On colder nights, an electric blanket does the job without heating the whole room. It warms the bed directly and shuts off once you’re asleep, which is ideal if your bedroom tends to run cold or your insulation isn’t great.”

Seal up the leaks

Even well-insulated homes can lose heat through small gaps around windows or under doors. You don’t need to seal every gap at once, but dealing with the most obvious draughts can make a real difference to how a room holds heat.

Bradbury says:

“Most people focus on windows, but some of the worst draughts come from places like pet flaps, letterboxes, floorboards, and loft hatches. A few simple fixes, like brush strips on letterboxes, covers for pet flaps, or insulation tape around loft hatches can stop warm air escaping without much effort or cost.”

For older homes or properties with single glazing, heavier curtains can also help reduce heat loss in colder rooms. Even a well-placed curtain over a front door or draughty hallway can make a noticeable difference.

Build comfort into routine

A few simple habits can go a long way when it comes to staying warm. Wool socks, thermal leggings, fleece jumpers, it’s all about layers, which help trap body heat without relying on the thermostat. Add a hot drink or get moving in the kitchen and your core temperature rises naturally.

For moments when you’re sitting still, portable electric heaters can top things up efficiently. Oil-filled models retain warmth even after they’re off, making them ideal for short bursts in a reading nook, workspace or bedroom. Used in closed rooms, they cost far less to run than central heating.

Keep the heat where it counts

With energy costs unlikely to fall far anytime soon, staying warm has become less about the thermostat and more about the setup. Focus on the rooms that matter, stop heat from escaping, use smaller, efficient tools where they make the most difference. That’s how you stay warm, spend less, and keep control, without heating the whole house around you.