As energy costs continue to rise, households nationwide are seeking ways to keep their homes cosy without cranking up the heating and inflating their energy bills.
While modern insulation and central heating systems certainly do the job, they can be quite costly, prompting many to explore alternative solutions.
A traditional Victorian method offers an ideal solution to heat your home without resorting to the heating system, proving just as effective today as it was over a century ago.
According to My Home Improvements, a leading authority in home upgrades and energy efficiency, this straightforward method was a mainstay in Victorian households long before central heating became standard.
Victorian homes were famously draughty, and to counter this without squandering pricey coal, homeowners would depend on a mix of heavy curtains, door drapes, and ‘pelmets’ to trap warm air indoors.
The crucial components of this forgotten trick include thick floor-length curtains with pelmets – also known as valances – on top, which should be positioned not only at windows but also next to doors leading to chillier rooms.
The final element is to utilise draught excluders at doors. The experts recommend fabric ‘sausage dog’ excluders or thick door drapes, which were a common feature in many Victorian homes.
A spokesperson for My Home Improvements, discussing this Victorian technique, said: “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.”
They also shared tips on how to implement this Victorian heating method in a modern home, stating that reviving this straightforward approach can help reduce heat loss and keep energy bills low:
- 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.