Every winter, the same equation: you'd like to cut your heating bill, but without spending the season bundled up and frozen. The good news is that part of the feeling of cold comes from details you can easily fix. Here are twelve practical tips.
In short
- Aim for around 19 °C in living areas and 17 °C in bedrooms.
- Every degree less counts on the bill.
- Stop draughts and insulate yourself from cold floors.
- Warm feet change how comfortable your whole body feels.
Set the heating smartly
1. The right temperature
Official recommendations in France are around 19 °C in living areas and 17 °C in bedrooms. According to ADEME, the French environment agency, turning your heating down by one degree saves about 7% of energy.
2. Turn it down at night and when you're out
A programmable thermostat or simple manual settings avoid heating an empty home.
3. Don't cover radiators
A sofa pushed against the radiator or laundry drying on it stops the heat from circulating.
Keep the heat in the house
4. Stop draughts
Draught excluders, window seals: cold air seeping in at floor level feels much colder than the actual temperature.
5. Close shutters and curtains in the evening
Thick curtains form an extra barrier in front of the windows.
6. Open the curtains when it's sunny
Winter sun heats for free: make the most of it during the day.
7. Lay down rugs
Tiles and wooden floors feel cold to the touch. A rug insulates and visually warms the room.
Warm yourself up
8. Layer up
Several thin layers keep you warmer than a single thick jumper. A cardigan you can take off or put on as needed is ideal.
9. Keep your feet warm
When your feet are cold, your whole body feels cold. Thick socks and lined slippers that insulate from the floor make a real difference, especially when working from home. A lined clog like the Bormio or an ankle-high lined slipper like the Merano is perfect for this.
10. The blanket on the sofa
A thick blanket within reach lets you turn the heating down in the evening without thinking about it.
11. Move regularly
Sitting for hours cools the body down. A few minutes of walking every hour gets your circulation going.
12. Hot drinks
A herbal or regular tea warms your hands and brings an immediate feeling of well-being.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I set at home in winter?
About 19 °C in living areas and 17 °C in bedrooms, according to official French recommendations.
Why am I cold even with the heating on?
Often because of draughts, cold walls or contact with a cold floor. Our tips: cold feet at home.
Do slippers really help you feel less cold?
Yes: by insulating your feet from the floor, they clearly reduce the feeling of cold, especially on tiles.
Read also
- Cold feet at home: 10 tips that really work
- Working from home: what to wear on your feet
- Sleeping well in winter: our tips
Lined slippers and clogs to keep your feet warm all winter: discover the For the cold season collection. Free delivery.
