Tackling the energy crisis at home: layering up to keep costs down

With the recent hikes in energy costs, thousands of people across the nation are struggling to afford their energy bills and adequately heat their homes. As a result, many individuals will be looking for alternative ways to beat the cold without relying on oil or gas heating. Along with the likes of hot water bottles and electric blankets, there are plenty of ways to keep warm at home, particularly when it comes to layering up with the right clothing. As experts in keeping warm in the great outdoors, today we’ve shared our top tips on how to beat the chill at home in a sustainable and affordable way.

Use thermal base layers

Typically associated with outdoor winter sports like skiing or snowboarding, thermals are designed to keep warmth close to the body without restricting movement or sacrificing comfort. Snug, stretchy, and breathable, thermals are an excellent alternative to pyjamas when trying to keep warm at home. If your home is extra chilly, you can even layer a pair of thermals under a cosy pair of joggers or pyjama pants to maximise warmth. Many thermals will also come with an extended sleeve and thumb holes, keeping your hands that extra bit warm, too.

TIP: When layering up with thermals, take care to wear looser-fitting clothing on top of your base layer such as a pair of joggers and a jumper. Tight layers can restrict movement and blood flow, making you feel colder.

Keep warm at the core

When it comes to keeping your body warm, ensuring your core is protected from the cold can go a long way. Gilets are an excellent option for keeping warm in a chilly home, especially when worn on top of a thermal base layer. This combination provides plenty of heat at the core without any excess bulk on the arms, making it an easy and practical option for wearing inside the house.

TIP: Many gilets will come in a puffer style which can feel a bit like an outdoor jacket. For a gilet that feels a bit more like an ‘at home’ option, try a softshell or fleece gilet.

Try cosy socks and slippers

Keeping your feet warm at home can be a challenge even without an energy crisis - many homes are draughty all year round, with plenty of us wearing slippers on a daily basis. In the case that you have to turn your heat down in the coming months, having a good pair of thermal socks and a warm pair of slippers can do wonders. Specifically designed to keep your feet protected against icy temperatures, ski socks are a great option for keeping warm. These are usually quite long as well and can be stretched up over a pair of thermal leggings or under your normal trousers to keep your ankles and legs warm, too.

TIP: If you typically wear slip-on or backless slippers, you may want to try ankle-high or bootie slippers in the colder months. These will keep your feet and ankles much warmer which can make all the difference.

Make a fleece your friend

Fleeces are incredibly versatile pieces of clothing that can be worn year-round both indoors and outdoors. Known for being both warm and lightweight, a fleece is a great alternative to a   hoodie or sweater, offering that extra bit of protection against the cold. With a convenient neck or full-length zip, fleeces can easily be layered over a t-shirt or base layer when the house is feeling extra chilly, or can be worn on their own.

TIP: Fleeces can be extremely warm - if you tend to get easily overheated, opt for a full-zip fleece that you can quickly pull on and or wear open over a t-shirt or vest.

Get inspired by the outdoors

If you love getting out in nature and enjoy activities like camping, hiking, and skiing, you’ll likely have a few essentials designed to keep you warm in cold conditions. Items like sleeping bags and thermal blankets can do wonders in a cold home, whether they’re kept on the sofa as blankets or incorporated into your sleeping routine. Many sleeping bags can keep you warm even in freezing conditions, so before you head off to buy new bedding, consider what you may already have that can keep you super warm on a budget.

Many campers will also own energy-efficient space heaters or even butane heaters which can help take the chill out of the air on a budget.

TIP: Don’t fancy sleeping inside your sleeping bag at home? If your sleeping bag can fully open up and be laid flat, simply pop a duvet cover over it for an additional thermal layer at night.

Sustainable changes for the long term

Unfortunately, as the energy crisis continues, thousands of people across the nation will struggle to pay their energy bills and will be seeking ways to keep warm on a budget. We hope by applying some of our outdoor-layering and nature-inspired tips in the household, you can keep warm even in the face of soaring energy costs.

Both sustainable and affordable, these tips and tricks can be adopted long-term to not only help you save on energy costs, but also reduce energy consumption generally. As the country navigates this challenging energy crisis, our hope is that each individual and family stays safe and warm.