In a winter where many families think twice before turning on the heating, small adjustments inside the home can make a difference to comfort and energy bills. Several of these suggestions were recently compiled by the British newspaper The Mirror, which brought together advice used in the hotel industry and long-term accommodation, easily adaptable to the Portuguese reality.
The secret of hotels is how they retain heat
In many accommodation units, especially in the medium and high-end segments, the objective is not just to heat the room, it is to ensure that the heat remains inside for as long as possible. According to the British company Luxury Serviced Apartments, cited by The Mirror, simple heat retention techniques can represent up to around 5 ºC more thermal sensation indoors, without touching the thermostat.
According to the same experts, this philosophy is easily adaptable to apartments and houses in Portugal, where many houses do not have central heating and depend on electric heaters or air conditioning. By reducing heat losses, the time that equipment needs to be switched on is reduced, with a direct impact on the electricity bill.
Curtains closed before sunset
One of the main heat “leaks” continues to be the window. Even closed, glazed surfaces let a significant part of the heat accumulated throughout the day escape. Property management experts explain that, in practical terms, the simple routine of closing the curtains before sunset helps to stop this heat loss, especially in rooms most exposed to the outside.
Thicker curtains, with lining or heavy fabrics, create a kind of barrier between the cold air next to the glass and the rest of the space. Still, even simpler models, already installed in many Portuguese homes, help to reduce the feeling of drafts near the windows, as long as they are well adjusted and cover the entire surface.
Layers of bedding instead of a single blanket
In bedrooms, hotels tend to avoid the solution of a single, very heavy duvet. Alternatively, they use several thinner layers of bedding, from light throws to blankets and decorative bedspreads. According to companies in the sector, this overlap allows air pockets to be created between the layers, reinforcing insulation without significantly increasing the weight on the body.
At home, the logic is the same. Instead of relying solely on the duvet, you can start by placing a lightweight thermal blanket underneath, next to the top sheet, then adding a wool blanket or fleece blanket on top. Flannel sheets can reinforce the feeling of coziness on colder nights, especially in homes where the room cools down quickly in the early hours of the morning.
Carpets and floors: the cold that comes from below
The floor is another source of thermal discomfort, especially in rooms with ceramic or stone floors, common in many Portuguese homes designed for the summer heat. Residential comfort experts remember that a very cold floor can make the house seem colder than it really is, even if the thermostat indicates an acceptable temperature.
Placing rugs, especially next to the bed or in areas where guests stay for a long time, such as the living room, helps to reduce the feeling of cold that comes from below. A short or medium pile rug is enough to reduce heat loss through contact with the floor and make the space more pleasant, without any additional energy consumption.
Furniture away from radiators and heaters
Another trick replicated from the hotel industry involves the arrangement of furniture. When beds, sofas or large sideboards are placed against radiators or block the hot air outlet from air conditioning units, a significant part of the heat is “trapped” behind the furniture. According to accommodation companies that manage furnished apartments, reorganizing the space to unblock these heat sources is one of the first interventions to be carried out at the beginning of winter.
At home, it’s worth checking whether sofas, curtains that are too long or heavy furniture are preventing heat from circulating freely. Small adjustments, such as moving the sofa slightly away from the radiator or shortening a curtain that covers the air outlet grille, can improve heat distribution throughout the rooms. Always respect safety standards, namely maintaining an adequate distance between heating equipment and flammable materials.
Save on your bill without sacrificing comfort
At a time when electricity and gas bills continue to weigh heavily on the family budget, heat retention strategies are gaining relevance. Instead of automatically raising the thermostat or adding another heater, the recommendation of those who manage professional accommodation is to first optimize the use of curtains, bed linen, carpets and furniture, as highlighted in the recommendations gathered by .
Considering these suggestions, the combination of these tricks may not replace heating on extremely cold days, but it helps to extend the period in which the house remains comfortable after turning off the equipment. It is a way of bringing discreet solutions, tested in the hotel industry, into everyday domestic life, which seek to balance comfort and cost control throughout the winter.
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