The forgotten Victorian-era trick that keeps homes warm without turning on the heating

As energy prices continue to increase, households across the country are looking for ways to keep their homes warm without turning on the heating and increasing their energy bills.

While modern insulation and central heating systems certainly keep the house warm, the latter can be rather expensive, and many people are looking for alternative options.

One old Victorian-era trick is the perfect way to warm your house up without turning on the heating, and it’s just as effective today as it was over 100 years ago.

According to My Home Improvements, a leading expert in home upgrades and energy efficiency, this simple method was a staple in Victorian households long before central heating became the norm.

Victorian homes 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 trap warm air inside.

The key elements of this forgotten trick include thick floor-length curtains with pelmets – otherwise known as valances – on top, which should be placed not just at windows, but also alongside doors leading to colder rooms.

The final element is to use draught excluders at doors. The experts suggest fabric ‘sausage dog’ excluders or thick door drapes, which were a feature in many Victorian homes.

Commenting on this Victorian method, 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.”

How to apply this Victorian heating method in a modern home

The pros have revealed how you can adapt this Victorian-era trick for your home:

1. Install thick, lined curtains over windows to reduce heat escaping through the glass.
2. Fit a curtain or thermal blind over your front and back doors to block draughts.
3. Use a pelmet above your curtains to trap rising warm air inside the room.
4. Place draught excluders at the base of doors to stop cold air creeping in.

Reviving this simple method to warm your home can reduce heat loss while also keeping down your energy bills.