How To Keep A Poorly Insulated Student House Warm

We've got cheap ways to heat your student home so you don't freeze before your deadlines.

It's 8AM. Your breath is visible. Your housemate's in shorts. Student housing strikes again.

But, really, it's cold isn't it? And it surely can't be much warmer in student housing. Known for being notoriously freezing, student houses will have you clinging onto your housemate trying to retain some heat.

And of course, there is always one that is strolling around in a pair of shorts while the icicles form on the window... we simply do not question it.

If you're unfortunate enough to be stuck with a poorly insulated student house, there's not much you can do to it without the landlord getting someone to pack it up with insulation or add another radiator into the rooms (is that a thing? IDK, I'm not an engineer).

Luckily for you frosty lot, we've got some ways to keep your house warm in winter, as well as keeping yourself warm, if you can't manage warming up the four walls. We've rounded up the warmest, cheapest, least landlord-involved hacks to keep your house and your body toasty.

Wipe the frost off your lashes and read on to heat up.

Last updated: 12th September 2025

How to keep your house warm in winter

Keeping a poorly insulated house warm in the winter is not easy at the best of times, but especially not if you're a student. You barely have any control over the student house you're in, and landlords aren't always on your side, either.

Unless your landlord is top of their game and will help insulate their property, here are some tips for you on how to keep the house warm in winter.

P.S. If you're looking for student accommodation at the moment but feel like it's out of your depth, we've got what to ask when viewing student houses so you can be comfortable in making the right choice.

1. Clingfilm your windows (... seriously)

Clingfilm isn't just for last night's leftovers. If your student house windows are letting in icy drafts, a simple DIY fix is to use clingfilm as insulation. Clean the window, dampen it slightly, and press a sheet of clingfilm across the glass, smoothing out air bubbles as you go. It creates a sneaky extra layer that helps trap heat inside, cutting down the chill without costing you a penny. Sure, it might not look Instagram-worthy, but when the frost bites and your hands stop feeling like ice cubes, you'll thank yourself for the effort.

2. Give radiators room to breathe

If your radiator is crammed behind a sofa, drowning under clothes, or being used as an unofficial drying rack, you're wasting precious heat. Radiators need open space to let warmth circulate through the room. Treat them like heat-giving VIPs—no clutter allowed. Shift your furniture, keep clothes off, and let that heat spread properly. You'll notice the difference in minutes. Pro tip: if you absolutely have to dry clothes indoors, invest in a heated airer instead—it uses less energy, warms your space, and saves your clothes from radiator-related damage. Respect the radiator, and it will respect your warmth.

3. Aluminium foil = heat multiplier

That roll of aluminium foil in your kitchen drawer is secretly a winter survival tool. Placing a sheet behind your radiator (between it and the wall) reflects heat back into the room instead of letting it vanish into the brickwork. It's an easy, budget-friendly hack that maximises every bit of warmth you're already paying for. Best part? It doesn't damage walls and can be removed when you move out. Pair this with clutter-free radiators, and you've suddenly turned your home into a more efficient heating system—all thanks to the same stuff you normally wrap chips in.

Instead, we've got the best energy efficient heated clothes airers and drying racks for you to check out.

4. Draughts

A draughty house is a cold house.

Drafts are sneaky little chill-thieves that creep in under doors, through windows, and even via letterboxes. To fight back, grab a weighted draft excluder (the cuter, the better) or DIY one with a rolled-up towel. Stick it at the bottom of doors, and you'll notice the room feels warmer instantly. For windows, cheap adhesive draft tape works wonders. Remember: the less cold air slipping in, the less your heating has to fight against. It's one of those simple, low-effort hacks that can make your space feel more liveable—without needing your landlord to actually fix anything.

Draught excluders like this draught excluder from Dunelm are placed at the bottom of the door. It helps minimise the amount of air entering your home and should keep it warmer.

5. Make your oven work double duty

Once you're done cooking your dinner, don't just slam the oven shut. If it's an electric oven, crack the door open afterwards and let the warm air drift out into the kitchen and beyond. It's free heat you've already paid for, and it makes a surprising difference in smaller student houses. Word of warning though: only do this with electric ovens—gas ovens release carbon monoxide if left open, which is dangerous. Done right, it's like giving your house a mini heat boost for zero extra energy. Plus, it makes cleaning up dinner a lot cosier.

6. Dehumidifier

You've reached peak adulting if you invest in a dehumidifier.

A damp house isn't just unpleasant—it feels colder too. That's where a dehumidifier comes in clutch. By sucking excess moisture out of the air, it helps rooms feel warmer and fresher, plus it reduces mould (the classic student house villain). Bonus: many dehumidifiers blow out slightly warmed air, so you're getting a mini heater effect at the same time. They're also a lifesaver when drying clothes indoors without everything staying damp for days. It's an investment, sure, but one that makes a massive difference in comfort—and might just save your room from smelling like wet socks.

A dehumidifier will suck the moisture out of the room and then warm the air slightly before pushing it back out. It's a godsend for drying your clothes indoors without a dryer.

Igenix IG9813 Dehumidifier — Currys

How to keep yourself warm in a cold room

Now that we've told you how to keep a poorly insulated house warm, you should hopefully start to feel yourself defrosting slowly. If not, we've got how to keep yourself warm in a cold room.

Electric blanket

Electric blankets are probably one of the best things invented since sliced bread. They don't cost much to run, and they're the ideal investment to help tide you over the winter or whenever you're feeling down and need some comfort.

They won't heat up the whole room but they'll keep you snug while you're sleeping or if you keep it over your lap while you're studying.

Try this luxury fleece heated blanket from Dreams and use our Dreams student discount to get 10% off your basket.

Hot water bottle

A hot water bottle is going to be your best friend. Not only are they cheap (it's time to raid your local Primark) but it will take you from freezing to cosy warm within a few minutes.

Whether you're perching it on your lap while watching Netflix or sleeping with it to help warm you up, a hot water bottle is one of the most affordable ways to make your house a bit warmer. Not to mention, who's to say you can only have one?

We love this Teddy Bear long hot water bottle from Dunelm — less than £15, it might not be the cheapest hot water bottle but thanks to its length and Teddy Bear material, it's going to keep you warmer for longer.

Duvet

If you find that your duvet is a little on the thinner, flimsy side, then it might be time for an upgrade for winter.

The higher the 'tog' of the duvet, the better. So, opt for a 15 tog (one of the highest) to give yourself extra warmth and cosiness; like this Slumberdown Warm Winter nights 15 tog duvet from Debenhams.

Some duvets are also advertised as 'winter duvets' which are thicker and often filled with a warmer filling than average duvets.

Use our Debenhams student discount for an extra 10% off.

Dressing gown

A dressing gown is a student staple. Whether you're splashing out £30 on a more expensive one (which is a really good investment) or grabbing one for a tenner, once you start wearing a dressing gown around your house you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.

Acting like a winter coat but for indoors, a dressing gown is perfect for chucking on when you're feeling Baltic.

This fleece hooded dressing gown from Marks and Spencer is lovely and cosy, you won't ever want to take it off.

Use our Marks and Spencer student discount for an additional 15% off your purchase.

Don't forget to look into student contents insurance to see if you need to cover some of your belongings! Better safe than not.

Bills racking up from the cold? Download our Student Beans app and register to unlock home and utilities student discounts this winter.