During the day:

• set your thermostat at around 21ºC (70ºF) and heat all the rooms you use in the day
• if you can’t heat all your rooms make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed
• set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed
• in very cold weather, rather than turn the thermostat up, set the heating to come on earlier so you won’t be cold while you wait for your home to heat up

During the night:

• try to keep a temperature of above 18°C (65°F) in your bedroom overnight
• if you use a fire or heater in your bedroom during winter, open the window or door a little at night for ventilation
• an electric blanket or a hot water bottle will help you keep warm but never use them together as you could electrocute yourself
• if you have an electric blanket, check what type it is – some are designed only to warm the bed before you get in and should not to be used throughout the night
• if you use an electric blanket make sure it is safe to use by getting it tested every three years. The Fire Brigade, Trading Standards and Age Concern can test your electric blanket for safety

Dress well

• wear plenty of thin layers, rather than one thick one
• put on a coat, hat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes or boots when you go outside
• wear clothes made of wool, cotton, or fleecy synthetic fibres
• stay warm in bed with bed socks, thermal underwear and a nightcap or headscarf

Reduce your energy bills

By following some simple energy-saving tips, you can reduce your bills:

• shut outside doors and close curtains at night
• boil only the water you need rather than filling the kettle completely
• let food cool to room temperature before you put it in the fridge or freezer
• don’t leave appliances like televisions in stand-by mode as they still use electricity; instead, switch them off properly at the set’s ‘off’ switch