No one wants to feel cold in their own home, but there’s a lot you can do to stay warm without having to turn up the heating.

Step 1 - knowledge is power

A thermostat automatically regulates temperature, but not all homes have one. Thermostats give you much better control over your heating, but they’re not essential to reducing your use.

• Got a thermostat? If you already have a thermostat installed, turning it down couldn't be simpler: just turn down the dial and pop an extra jumper on. We bet you won’t notice the difference until you see your energy bill.
• Not got a thermostat? Get one! Installing a thermostat is simple. The Energy Saving Trust has lots of information about different types of thermostats and provides impartial advice on how to heat your home efficiently. If that’s not an option, fear not - read on for more tips on staying warm in a cooler home.

Step 2 - layer up

Want to stay toasty without ramping up the heating? We have two words for you: thermal underwear. No? Either way, a warm underlayer plus a woolly jumper (or two) will mean you don’t have to fire up the heating so often. And while you’re at it, don’t underestimate the warming power of the humble sock (or the hat and scarf).

Step 3 - a warmer home

Houses in the UK are notorious when it comes to keeping warmth in and the cold out. There are lots of ways you can wage war on the draught, just check out our Draught busters Do Action.

Bonus tip: You could save even more energy and money by upgrading to a smart thermostat. Modern heating controls let you heat just the rooms you want, decide how warm you want each room to be, and control when the heating turns on and off. If that sounds like your idea of fun, check out the Nest Learning Thermostat.