How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather

When the temperature drops, a warm home matters for more than comfort. Cold homes can make it harder to shake off winter bugs, and they hit hardest for older people, young children and anyone with a health condition.

The good news is that staying warm doesn't have to mean turning the thermostat up and watching your heating oil disappear. Small changes around the home, plus a bit of preparation before the cold sets in, can keep you comfortable all winter.

Here are our tips for keeping your home and your family warm, getting your heating system ready, and looking after yourself and others through the colder months.

Keeping your home warm

1. Heat the rooms you use, at the right temperature

The NHS recommends heating your home to at least 18°C if you can, especially if you're over 65 or have a health condition. Focus on the rooms you spend the most time in, such as the living room and bedroom.

Use your timer and thermostat to bring the heating on before you get up and before you get home, rather than turning it up high when you're already cold. Closing the doors of rooms you don't use keeps the heat where you need it.

2. Stop draughts

Draughts let warm air out and cold air in, making your boiler work harder. Check around windows, doors, letterboxes and keyholes, and use draught excluders or inexpensive draught-proofing strips where you feel a chill.

Keeping internal doors closed while the heating is on also helps each room hold its warmth. For more ideas, see our energy saving tips for your home.

3. Let the sun in, then keep the heat in

Open curtains and blinds during the day to let any sunshine warm your rooms. Close them at dusk to stop heat escaping through the glass, and keep furniture and long curtains away from radiators so the heat can circulate.

4. Wear layers

Several thin layers trap warm air better than one thick jumper. Indoors, an extra pair of socks and some slippers make a surprising difference. If you're heading outside, wear warm shoes with good grip for icy paths.

5. Warm up your bed

A hot water bottle placed under the duvet half an hour before bed is a cheap way to take the chill off. Use an extra blanket rather than turning the heating up overnight.

6. Keep moving

It's tempting to stay on the sofa when it's cold, but moving around gets your blood flowing and helps you feel warmer. Even getting up once an hour to walk around the house or do a few jobs helps.

7. Eat and drink warm

Hot meals and drinks help keep you warm from the inside. Porridge is a good start to the day, and soups and stews are an easy way to get plenty of vegetables. A hot drink also warms your hands while you hold it.

Get your heating ready for winter

8. Get your boiler serviced

The last thing you want on a freezing night is a boiler that won't fire up. An annual service by an OFTEC-registered engineer helps keep your oil boiler running safely and efficiently, and can catch small problems before they turn into breakdowns.

If you haven't had a service in the last 12 months, book one before the coldest weather arrives. Find out more about why boiler servicing matters.

9. Check your oil tank

Walk round your tank and look for cracks, bulges, rust or leaks. A strong smell of kerosene near the tank or the pipework is a sign something needs attention, so contact an OFTEC-registered engineer if you notice one.

Clear leaves and debris from around the base, and keep the path to the tank and the fill point free from obstructions so our driver can deliver safely. For a fuller checklist, read our oil tank inspection guide.

10. Keep your heating oil secure

Heating oil theft tends to rise when prices are high and tanks are full. Check that locks are working, consider security lighting near the tank, and make sure the tank can be seen from your house even if it's screened from the road. Our guide on how to protect your heating oil tank against theft has more tips.

11. Keep an eye on your oil level

You'll use more heating oil in cold weather, so check your tank more often through the winter. Learn how to check your heating oil level, and see how much heating oil a house uses in winter to help you plan.

12. Order before you run low

Demand for heating oil peaks during cold snaps, so don't wait until your tank is nearly empty. Ordering when you're around a quarter full gives plenty of time for delivery. You can get an instant online quote or call your local depot.

If you'd like to spread the cost of your heating oil across the year, our Payment Plan lets you pay monthly.

13. Consider a premium heating oil

K+ premium kerosene contains an additive package designed to support cleaner combustion and help keep your heating system free from deposits. It works in standard oil-fired boilers and can be ordered in the same way as standard kerosene.

Looking after yourself and others

14. Look after your health

Colds and flu spread more easily in winter. Washing your hands regularly and staying at home when you're unwell helps protect the people around you. Check the NHS website to see whether you're eligible for a free flu vaccine this year.

If you're worried about the cost of keeping warm, read our guide to financial support for heating oil customers.

15. Check on neighbours and travel carefully

Cold weather can be isolating, particularly in rural areas. If you have an elderly or vulnerable neighbour, check in on them, offer to pick up shopping, or make sure they have enough heating oil.

If you need to drive, only travel in bad conditions when you have to, and clear your windscreen fully before setting off. Our tips for de-icing your windscreen and winter driving advice can help.

A few simple habits, a serviced boiler and a well-stocked tank will go a long way towards keeping you warm this winter.

If you're running low or want to get ahead of the cold weather, get your heating oil quote online in seconds, or contact your local Rix depot and our team will be happy to help.