As energy costs continue to soar, households across the nation are searching for methods to keep their properties warm without turning up the heating and sending their energy bills through the roof. Whilst contemporary insulation and central heating systems certainly accomplish the task, they can be rather expensive, encouraging many to investigate alternative approaches.
A traditional Victorian technique provides a perfect solution to warm your property without relying on the heating system, proving equally effective today as it was more than a century ago. According to My Home Improvements, a leading authority in home upgrades and energy efficiency, this simple technique was a cornerstone in Victorian households long before central heating became commonplace. Victorian properties were notoriously draughty, and to combat this without wasting expensive coal, homeowners would rely on a combination of heavy curtains, door drapes, and “pelmets” to retain warm air inside.
The essential elements of this forgotten method include thick floor-length curtains with pelmets – also referred to as valances – on top, which should be placed not only at windows but also beside doors leading to colder rooms.
The final component is to employ draught excluders at doors. The experts suggest fabric “sausage dog” excluders or thick door drapes, which were a typical feature in many Victorian properties.
A spokesperson for My Home Improvements, discussing this Victorian method, 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 revealed guidance on implementing this Victorian heating technique in contemporary properties, explaining that reviving this straightforward approach can help minimise heat loss and maintain low energy costs:
- 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.
