How to make your home warmer

Everybody wants a  warm home. Staying warm not only helps you feel comfortable while you’re at home, but it’s also crucial for your health.

The key to a warm home is being in control of your home heating system, keeping the heat in, and tackling condensation and damp. It’s also worth exploring whether you could switch to a renewable heating system like a heat pump.

Our advisors will give you free, impartial and expert advice tailored to you and your home. They can also check your eligibility for financial support including Warmer Homes Scotland, the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and more.

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Learn more about Warmer Homes Scotland, the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and other financial support available to help make your home warmer.

Take control of your home heating

Home heating and hot water accounts for over half of a typical Scottish household's energy bill. Installing a modern home heating system with good controls can help you stay warm and save money.

Looking for tips on how to heat your home and water effectively? Energy Saving Trust has detailed advice on making the most of your current heating system and guidance on replacing it with a newer one.

Advice on heating your home

Boilers are a common way of heating room and hot water at home. If your boiler's struggling to keep up with your household’s requirements or is costing you a lot to run, it could be time to think about replacing it.

Learn more about boilers

Effectively managing your heating controls will make a massive difference to how warm and comfortable you feel at home, as well as ensuring you’re not wasting energy and money. There are lots of ways to take control, from boiler thermostats and room thermostats to radiator controls and even smartphone apps. 

Learn more about heating controls

Installing a renewable heating system such as an air source heat pump or biomass boiler is more affordable than ever. You could also get funding to help you make the switch.

Learn more about greener heating systems

Manage damp and condensation

Condensation occurs when there isn’t enough air movement and moisture forms on cold surfaces in your home. Excessive moisture and condensation can damage a building if left unchecked, and the growth of black mould can also damage the health of people living there. To cut down condensation inside, we have seven tips for you to follow.

If you can, dry your washing outside. If you can't, use a clothes horse to spread out the clothes (rather than covering a radiator) which allows the air to circulate, and open a window to let the moisture out.

Cover pots while cooking, and close kitchen and bathroom doors when steam is being created to stop it spreading through the house.

Use trickle vents on windows if you have them, or open windows on opposite sides of the house.

Use extractor fans when cooking and showering and open a window if it starts to steam up.

Avoid overfilling cupboards and wardrobes, and leave a gap between your furniture and walls to increase air circulation.

Heating your home to above 15°C will reduce the risk of condensation forming on fabrics and walls.

Fitting wall and loft insulation will make the walls and ceiling warmer, preventing moisture from settling. Try not to leave gaps between the insulated areas though – these gaps can act as a magnet for condensation.

Learn more about managing damp and condensation

For more information, read Energy Saving Trust’s guide on how to fix damp and condensation, or watch our video to learn how to reduce and prevent condensation in your home.

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Keep the heat in by improving insulation and reducing draughts

Heat loss is a common issue. Warm air travelling to colder spaces results in heat loss through walls, roofs, windows, doors and even the floor.

By insulating your home and reducing draughts, you can significantly reduce heat loss, making your home feel warmer and cosier. Good insulation also helps you lower your energy bills and carbon footprint too.

Picture of a smiling lady in red blouse turning down a thermostat

Cavity wall insulation

About a third of heat loss in an uninsulated home escapes through the walls. Properly insulating cavity walls saves energy and cuts heating costs. Energy Saving Trust has more advice on how to install cavity wall insulation.

Solid wall insulation

Insulating solid walls lowers heating costs and improves comfort. Homes built before the 1920s will most likely have solid external walls. Read more about solid wall insulation on Energy Saving Trust's website.

Loft and roof insulation

You can lose up to a quarter of your home's heat through an uninsulated roof. Insulating the roof can reduce your heating bills. Check out Energy Saving Trust's roof and loft insulation guide.

Floor insulation

Insulating your ground floor - or any floor above unheated spaces like garages - is essential to keep heat in your home. Newer homes are often constructed with solid concrete ground floors, but older homes may have timber floors that could benefit from underfloor insulation. Read Energy Saving Trust's guide on floor insulation for more information.

Windows and doors

Installing draught-proofing around windows and doors and fitting energy-efficient external doors reduces heat loss. Secondary, double or triple-glazing windows are also effective. Energy Saving Trust provides valuable advice on ensuring your windows and doors are energy efficient.

Draught-proofing

Draught-proofing is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your energy bills low. Heat can escape from gaps, holes, and cracks, like those in windows and doors or open chimneys. Take a look at Energy Saving Trust's guide to draught-proofing.

Tanks, pipes and radiators

Insulating water tanks and pipes keeps them hotter, saves money, and reduces energy use. The insulation is relatively easy to install and can save money on your energy bills and will help keep your home warm. Find out more on insulating tanks and radiators on Energy Saving Trust's website. 

Renewable energy

More Scottish households are turning to home renewable systems to generate their electricity or heat from the sun, wind, ground or water.

Find out more about renewable technology
air source heat pump

How we can help

Find funding

If you’re worried about your bills or your home is cold or hard to heat, we'll help you get funding and support to make your home warmer.

Use our funding finder to see what's available in your area, or find out about Home Energy Scotland's grants and loans. The only way to apply for funding is to contact us directly.

Contact us

If you'd like personalised advice on how to make your home warmer, get in touch and one of our advisors will be happy to help.  

Helping someone else

You can contact us on behalf of someone else, like a family member you’re caring for or a friend you’re helping out.

If you work with people who could use our help, you can refer them to us for free, impartial advice and access to funding.