With energy costs set to rise once more in the UK come April, households are exploring increasingly creative ways to keep their homes warm.
While modern insulation and central heating can effectively warm a house, they can be expensive, prompting people to seek alternative solutions. One clever method has been revived, having nearly been lost to time.
The Victorian-era trick offers an effective way to heat your home without turning on the heating, and it's just as efficient today as it was over a century ago. According to My Home Improvements, a leading authority in home upgrades and energy efficiency, this simple method was a staple in Victorian households before central heating became commonplace.
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Victorian homes were known for being draughty. So to combat this without wasting pricey coal homeowners would use a combination of heavy curtains, door drapes, and 'pelmets' - also known as valances - to trap warm air inside.
The key components of this forgotten trick include thick floor-length curtains with pelmets on top. These should be installed not only at windows but also alongside doors leading to colder rooms.
The final element is to use draught excluders at doors. The experts recommend fabric 'sausage dog' excluders or thick door drapes, which were common features in many Victorian homes, reports the Express.
A spokesperson for My Home Improvements 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."
