As energy costs continue rising, households nationwide are seeking methods to maintain warmth without activating their heating systems and inflating their utility bills. While contemporary insulation and central heating certainly provide warmth, the latter proves rather costly, prompting many to explore alternative solutions.
One Victorian-era technique offers an ideal approach to warming your property without switching on the heating, proving equally effective today as it was over a century ago. According to My Home Improvements, a leading authority on property upgrades and energy efficiency, this simple method was commonplace in Victorian households long before central heating became standard. Victorian properties were notoriously draughty, and to address this without squandering expensive coal, homeowners relied upon a combination of heavy curtains, door drapes and “pelmets” to retain warm air indoors.
The essential components of this overlooked technique include thick floor-length curtains with pelmets – otherwise known as valances – positioned not merely at windows, but also beside doors leading to colder rooms.
The final component involves using draught excluders at doorways. The experts recommend fabric “sausage dog” excluders or thick door drapes, which featured prominently in numerous Victorian homes.
Speaking about this Victorian technique, a representative for My Home Improvements stated: “Many homeowners underestimate just how much heat escapes through windows and doorways. The Victorians didn’t have central heating, yet they managed to keep their homes warm with these simple, effective methods.
“Heavy curtains, door drapes, and pelmets might seem old-fashioned, but they’re an incredibly efficient way to reduce heat loss and keep your home cosy – without increasing your energy bills.”
How to implement this Victorian heating method in a contemporary home
The experts have disclosed how you can modify this Victorian-era tip for your own home:
- Install thick, lined curtains over windows to reduce heat escaping through the glass.
- Fit a curtain or thermal blind over your front and back doors to block draughts.
- Use a pelmet above your curtains to trap rising warm air inside the room.
- Place draught excluders at the base of doors to stop cold air creeping in.
Reviving this simple method to warm your home can reduce heat loss while also keeping down your energy bills.
